[US Presidential Debate] Trump’s Strategy of Interrupting Biden’s Remarks

From the Start of the Debate, Continuous Snarky Remarks at Biden's Comments
Moderator Breaks a Sweat Trying to Keep the Debate on Track

U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden are having their first TV debate on the 29th (local time). [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden faced each other for the first time on the 29th (local time). It was the first TV debate of the upcoming November presidential election. From the start of the debate, President Trump interrupted Biden's remarks, showing a strategy of interference.

The debate, held at 9 p.m. local time on the 29th in Cleveland, Ohio, is considered an important opportunity to compare the two candidates in a situation where traditional election campaigns have become difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The debate began with Fox News anchor Chris Wallace as the moderator. The topics presented by Wallace were ▲the candidates' backgrounds ▲the Supreme Court ▲COVID-19 ▲the economy ▲race and violence ▲election integrity.

The candidates started the debate by sharing their opinions on the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett, a federal appellate judge, as the successor to the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The two candidates engaged in a tense exchange from their first remarks. Biden repeatedly emphasized that the Supreme Court confirmation should be postponed until after the election, but President Trump interrupted Biden's remarks, asserting, "My term is not 3 years but 4 years," repeatedly trying to block him. Although the moderator intervened, Trump continued speaking. Biden responded with a smile, seemingly incredulous at Trump's remarks.

The British daily Financial Times commented, "President Trump tries to speak whenever Biden starts talking. As moderator Chris Wallace acknowledged, it will be difficult to manage the debate."

President Trump has been determined to overturn his lagging approval ratings through this debate. Combining his background as a reality show star and the 'stamina' honed through daily briefings with reporters, he plans to launch a fierce attack on Biden.

Biden is also expected to launch an all-out effort to rally his support base by targeting President Trump's failures in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.