2020 presidential debates recap

President Donald Trump, the Republican party’s presidential nominee, and former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic party’s presidential nominee, participated in two debates held on Sept. 29 and Oct. 22. The first debate covered topics including the Supreme Court, COVID-19, the economy, race, the Trump and Biden Records, and election integrity. The second debate addressed matters such as combatting COVID-19, national security, families and the economy, immigration and race, climate change, and leadership. 

In the beginning of the first debate, when addressing the Supreme Court, Biden argued that the 2020 voters should decide who would fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Supreme Court seat. Trump argued that the 2016 voters had already decided. 

On the matter of COVID-19, Biden accused Trump for his disorganized response to the pandemic. Trump countered by saying that matters would be far worse under Biden. 

When the candidates were asked about issues concerning race and violence in U.S. cities, Trump believed that the increase in crime was a result of Democrat mayors. Moderator Chris Wallace brought to light that this increase was also occurring in Republican-ran cities. Biden proposed community policing to resolve crime and racial conflict.

In the final segment regarding election integrity, Biden encouraged people to vote. Trump argued that there is voter fraud through mail-in ballots. Biden expressed that he will accept the outcome of the election, whereas Trump did not provide a definitive answer. 

In the second debate, on the subject of national security, Biden said that any country that interferes in American elections will “pay a price.” Trump then stated that Biden enriched himself through corruption in Russia and China, which he denied. 

When addressing American families and the economy, each candidate accused the other’s party of delaying further stimulus and relief. Biden argued that raising the minimum wage would not harm small businesses and instead benefit the economy. Trump said that minimum wage policies should vary on a state-by-state basis because raising the minimum wage on a federal level would hurt small businesses.

In the segment about climate change, Trump claimed that Biden wished to prohibit fracking. Biden previously advocated for the ban of fracking on federal land and restated that position during the debate. Trump then said that Biden supports the Green New Deal, a green technology project that will cost $100 trillion, something Biden denied by saying that he had his own environmental plan. 

Each candidate was questioned about what they will say as their inaugural address in the leadership segment. Trump mainly focused on his first term successes, while Biden’s response concentrated on the American people. 

The Commission on Presidential Debates originally scheduled three presidential debates during this election year. The planned second debate was canceled after President Trump refused to attend a virtual debate following his COVID-19 diagnosis. Election Night is Nov. 3, but results may not be finalized, since some states will still be collecting ballots after the election.