PHOENIX (AP) — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump began their first debate leading up to the 2024 presidential election without shaking hands and dove into talking policy Thursday night.
Here are some key moments from their 90-minute head-to-head clash:
ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENTS
Their first exchange addressed economics.
Biden, with a low tone and a hoarse voice, spoke of economic progress during his term, saying it rescued him from “free fall” and “chaos” when he assumed the presidency in 2021 at the end of Trump’s term. He cleared his throat several times.
Trump listened with a perplexed expression but did not attempt to interrupt, although his microphone was muted while Biden spoke.
When it was his turn to speak, Trump boasted about the state of the economy during his term, saying that “everything was going very well.” He blamed Biden for the price hike that has frustrated Americans.
“Inflation is killing our country,” Trump said. “It’s killing us.”
ABORTION
Biden blamed Trump for eroding abortion rights after the former Republican president’s three Supreme Court justices voted to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling, which had recognized the constitutional right to abortion nationwide. The reversal has emboldened many voters who support abortion rights and contributed to Democratic victories in the 2022 midterm and special elections.
“It’s been a terrible thing you’ve done,” Biden said, addressing his rival. He pledged to restore the law under the Roe v. Wade ruling if he wins a second term, but did not say how he would accomplish that. He said the idea of putting abortion laws back in the hands of the states “is like saying we’re going to put civil rights back in the hands of the states.”
Trump said his presidency put the abortion issue back to the people through state laws. He said he supports exceptions to the abortion ban for rape, incest and if the mother’s life is in danger, and repeated his false claim that Biden supports abortion up to and after birth.
“We believe that Democrats are the radicals, not Republicans,” Trump said.
ASSAULT ON THE CAPITOL
Trump lied about his role in the January 6, 2021, assault on the federal Capitol by his supporters and attempted to divert attention by changing the subject.
Asked about his role, he said he had encouraged people to act “peacefully and patriotically,” then changed the subject to attack former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat.
He said Biden should be “ashamed” of the way the cases against those accused of the January 6 assault have been handled.
Trump, who has floated the idea of pardoning the rioters, suggested that his supporters who stormed the Capitol were actually peaceful and are now being politically persecuted.
In fact, rioters engaged in hand-to-hand combat with police and used improvised weapons to attack officers. More than 1,400 people have been charged with federal crimes stemming from the riots, and more than 1,000 of them have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial.
“The only person on this stage who is a convicted felon is the man I’m looking at right now,” Biden said, referring to his rival.
