In the first TV debate held on the 27th (local time) between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, who will face off in the upcoming U.S. presidential election this November, both fiercely criticized each other, calling one another a "convicted felon" and "the worst president in history." When President Biden officially labeled former President Trump as a convicted felon in a public setting for the first time, Trump immediately mentioned Biden's son, Hunter Biden. He also hinted at political retaliation, suggesting he could become a convicted felon shortly after leaving office.
Democratic presidential candidate Biden attended the debate held at CNN studios in Atlanta, Georgia, and highlighted Trump's legal risks by saying, "The only convicted felon on this stage right now is the person I am looking at." This was the first time Biden officially defined Trump as a convicted felon in public. This point had already emerged as a key focus ahead of the debate.
In response, former President Trump immediately countered by mentioning Hunter Biden. He emphasized, "When talking about convicted felons, his son is a convicted felon at a very high level." He also claimed, "He could become a convicted felon as soon as he leaves office," adding, "He did terrible things."
Former President Trump reiterated his previous claim that the legal risks surrounding him are a political witch hunt. He said, "I was indicted because I am Biden's political opponent." When asked whether he would prosecute Biden and other opponents if he became president again, he replied, "My retaliation will be successful," adding, "I will make the country successful again. The country has failed now."
On this day, the two candidates did not hesitate to launch harsh personal attacks at each other. President Biden criticized former President Trump regarding the so-called 'sexual misconduct hush money allegations,' saying, "He had relations with a porn star while his wife was pregnant," calling it "alley cat-level morality." This referred to claims from the mid-2000s that Stormy Daniels had a one-night stand with Trump around the time he married his current wife, Melania. However, former President Trump denied the allegations, stating, "I have never had relations with a porn actress."
Former President Trump criticized Biden by saying, "Our country is falling apart," and called him "the worst president in history." He claimed that Biden is "the worst president in the history of our country" and that he "has destroyed America."
The debate, which began at 10 a.m. Korean time on the 28th, lasted a total of 90 minutes, with each candidate answering moderator questions for two minutes and rebutting for one minute. Following pre-agreed rules, the two candidates appeared on stage in a studio without an audience, armed only with a pen, paper, and a bottle of water. Bringing pre-written notes or prepared materials was prohibited.
This face-to-face debate between President Biden and former President Trump is the first in about four years since October 23, 2020. Locally, there is widespread evaluation that this debate could be a crucial turning point in the extremely close U.S. presidential election race. During the debate, President Biden was seen struggling to speak due to coughing and a hoarse voice. Local media, citing medical staff, reported that President Biden recently caught a cold.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
