[US Presidential Debate] Trump Says "Good with Kim Jong-un," Biden Responds "Hitler Was Also Good Before Invading Europe" (Comprehensive Report 2)

Trump-Kim Jong-un Relationship Satirized
Trump Changes COVID Vaccine Release Timing from "Within Weeks" to "By Year-End"
Mute Button Introduced to Prevent Interruptions
Parted Without Greetings After 90-Minute Debate

After finishing the TV debate, the two candidates are leaving together with their wives.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Donald Trump, the President of the United States, and Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate, clashed during the final presidential election TV debate held on the 22nd (local time). In the foreign and security policy segment, which was the topic of the debate, Kim Jong-un, Chairman of North Korea, and the North Korean nuclear issue were mentioned. Biden called Chairman Kim a "bully" but said, "If North Korea reduces its nuclear capabilities, I can meet with Chairman Kim," while President Trump emphasized that he has a "good relationship" with him.

This statement was in response to moderator Kristen Welker's question to President Trump about whether he viewed North Korea's unveiling of a new intercontinental ballistic missile and continued nuclear development as a betrayal. President Trump explained, "I have a good relationship with Chairman Kim, and there has been no war with North Korea." He also repeated his claim that if a war had occurred, millions would have died. In the process, he mentioned Seoul's proximity to the Demilitarized Zone and its large population, mistakenly stating Seoul's population as 32 million.

Biden responded by saying, "President Trump has legitimized North Korea," referring to Chairman Kim as a 'bully.' He said he could meet with Chairman Kim if there is agreement on reducing nuclear capabilities. Biden mocked the relationship between Trump and Kim by saying, "Before Europe was invaded, we had a good relationship with Hitler."

The two also exchanged uncompromising arguments over the Obama administration's North Korea strategy of "strategic patience."

When speaking about China policy, Biden criticized President Trump for embracing bullies like North Korea while pointing fingers at allies and friends.

Regarding allegations of Russian election interference, Biden emphasized repeatedly, "If any country, whoever it is, interferes in the U.S. election, they will pay a price," and "If I am elected, they will pay a price," harshly criticizing President Trump for not standing up to Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempts to interfere in the election. President Trump, in turn, used the issue of Russian election interference to raise suspicions about Biden's son Hunter's dealings with Ukraine.

Biden: "America Faces a Dark Winter in COVID-19 Response"

The two clashed over COVID-19, the first topic of the debate. Biden said, "Anyone responsible for the deaths of many should not remain as the President of the United States." He continued, saying the U.S. is "just entering a 'dark winter.' President Trump has no clear plan, and there is no prospect that the majority of Americans will have access to a vaccine before mid-next year."

President Trump countered, saying, "It (COVID-19) will disappear, and as I said, we are turning the corner now. It is disappearing," adding, "We are not entering a dark winter."

President Trump initially said a vaccine would be available "within weeks," but when moderator Kristen Welker asked if he could guarantee that, he changed his stance, saying he could not guarantee it but hoped to have one by the end of the year.

Trump: "Biden Received $3.5 Million from Russia"…Biden: "Not a Penny from Foreign Countries"

When Biden mentioned campaign funds, President Trump said Biden raised large sums from Wall Street and that he could break all fundraising records if he did the same. He emphasized, "You are the one taking money from Wall Street, not me," and highlighted that he won the 2016 election with less funding than the Democrats.

President Trump then claimed that Biden's family received $3.5 million from Russia, which came through Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Biden responded to Trump's allegations about his son Hunter by saying, "I have never received a penny from any foreign country in my life," and attacked President Trump for having a secret account in China.

Trump Attacks Climate Change Green New Deal, Framing Biden as Radical Left

The two also clashed uncompromisingly on climate change issues. Climate change and the fossil fuel industry are key issues that can attract voters in battleground states.

When asked about climate change, President Trump suddenly shifted focus by saying, "Look at China. How dirty it is," then emphasized, "I love the environment," adding, "What I want is crystal-clear water and the cleanest air."

Regarding the withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement after taking office, he said, "We withdrew because we would have to spend trillions of dollars," and claimed, "It would ruin our businesses."

Biden warned, pointing at President Trump, "If this man stays president for four more years and removes all the regulations we have introduced for clean climate, it will truly put us in danger," and confidently said that building a clean energy industry would "create millions of jobs."

President Trump criticized Biden for wanting to ban fracking, the hydraulic fracturing method essential to shale oil extraction. When asked if he would stop the oil industry, Biden said he would "transition from the oil industry," defending his policy, the 'Green New Deal.'

In the first debate, when President Trump attacked Biden for supporting the Democratic radical left's 'Green New Deal,' Biden rebutted, "That is not my plan," which sparked controversy.

"Mute Button Encouraged Calm Moderation"

Attention was also focused on the candidates' responses and conduct during the debate. The first debate was criticized as the worst due to its overheated atmosphere.

At the final debate held at Belmont University's gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee, both sides were given two minutes to express their views on each issue. Particularly, the introduction of a mute device that prevented interruptions during the two-minute statements was seen as effective by U.S. media.

CNN described the debate as more substantive but still full of sparks and lies, reporting that "President Trump failed to create the 'game changer' he wanted," implying that Trump could not provoke Biden into making a gaffe.

However, as the debate intensified, there was the first instance of a microphone being turned off. According to NBC, when President Trump's remarks on repealing 'Obamacare' became lengthy, his microphone was muted, and the floor was given to Biden. NBC reported that the newly introduced mute button encouraged a calmer debate early on, and other foreign media noted that there were very few shouting incidents.