Top 10 Moments from the Presidential Debate

Seeing these two figures battle it out on stage in itself is a monumental moment! Neither President Biden nor President Trump has participated in a debate since they last faced off in the 2020 presidential cycle. Four years later, this was the first time Americans had the opportunity to see either of the major candidates debating this election season, since neither candidate took the stage during the primary season. Remaining committed to Biden, the Democratic Party opted not to hold primary debates, and Trump declined to participate in the crowded Republican primary debates, arguing his lead over his opponents made it unnecessary for him to join them on stage. Looking back a few months later, he wasn’t wrong.

One of the most interesting moments of the debate came before either candidate stepped on stage. This was the first presidential debate in decades to not be set up by the Commission on Presidential Debates. Since the 1988 presidential election, the bipartisan commission has overseen presidential debates. But in 2022, the Republican National Committee withdrew from the commission, voicing concerns that the debate moderation had grown overly biased and poorly managed. This created uncertainty over whether the major candidates would debate at all, but when CNN offered to host a debate, both Biden and Trump accepted. This change signified a major shift in how elections operate, with the candidates gaining greater power over the rules imposed on debates by negotiating directly with TV networks.

While neither candidate unveiled ground-breaking policy proposals during the 90-minute debate, they did touch on a number of topics that Americans-- young and old-- are concerned about. One key issue in particular is social security and medicare, which are both in danger of running out of money in the near future if lawmakers don’t address funding shortfalls. This is one of the few issues that both Republican and Democrats alike want addressed, but lawmakers have so far been unable to find a solution. If you pay income taxes in the United States, part of your paycheck goes to these programs, but they might not be around long enough for you to begin taking money from the program in old age.

Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. did not qualify for the debate, but that didn’t stop the controversial descendant of one of America's most famous political families from giving his own answers to the questions asked by the debate moderators - just on his own stage, and streamed on X. Kennedy’s livestream garnered millions of viewers, perhaps showing that some Americans are interested in looking beyond the conventional two-party system. Will it be enough to propel Kennedy to the White House? Probably not, but if there ever was an election where voters would consider voting for a third-party candidate, it would be this one.

The job responsibilities of the President of the United States extend far beyond the nation's borders, and the importance of global issues was evident during the debate. The candidates were asked multiple questions about global conflicts, such as Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and the U.S. military’s 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. The person sitting in the Oval Office represents Americans on the world stage, decides where American troops are deployed, and builds-- and breaks-- alliances. If you or a loved one serves in the armed forces, or even if you just enjoy traveling abroad, the events occurring far beyond America's shores can have a major impact on voters’ lives.

Assuming historical trends continue, the most remembered moments from the debate will not be impassioned arguments over policies and legislation, but instead the name-calling, personal attacks, and jabs. This debate provided plenty of insults and barbs designed to be clipped and turned into viral memes across the internet. The most memorable exchange was perhaps President Biden saying President Trump has the “morals of an alley cat.” Trump then retorted by pointing to Biden’s son, Hunter, who was recently convicted of three felony gun-related charges. Trump also predicted that the president himself would become a convicted felon over his alleged foreign business dealings.

For the past few years, the issue of abortion has been a key motivator for voters. When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, medical termination of pregnancy ceased to be considered a constitutional right at the national level. This gives states greater power to restrict the divisive operation and makes its future legality uncertain. During the debate, the candidates were asked about their stance on this matter. President Biden expressed his desire to reinstate national protections on the procedure, while President Trump celebrated the court’s decision and his role in appointing three judges to the court, and reiterated his position that the issue should be decided at the state level.

The Biden administration has faced frequent criticism over its federal immigration policies, and the resulting influx of unauthorized migration across the United States’ southern border with Mexico. During the debate, Trump attacked Biden over immigration and border security, stating that unauthorized migrants were committing crimes throughout the country and living in luxury hotels paid for by taxpayers in New York City. Biden pushed back on these claims, stating that during Trump’s time as president, he allowed families to be separated at the border and put in cages. Voters rank immigration as a key issue that influences their vote, and the candidates’ answers to these questions may have won over, or lost, pivotal support.

In a media landscape where different news sources often draw completely different conclusions from highly charged political events, two things were clear from the first debate: President Biden struggled and President Trump repeated a number of misleading statements and dangerous falsehoods. And these issues were the focal point of debate coverage around the world, in both liberal and conservative news outlets. Biden often appeared confused and struggled to articulate his answers, doing little to alleviate concerns that he is too old to serve an additional four years in office. Trump lied unchecked about topics as widespread as abortion, the Mexico-US border, drugs and accepting election results. Regardless of how you feel about either candidate, this debate did little to encourage the electorate about their options, with the UK’s newspaper The Guardian saying “The true losers of this presidential debate were the American people.”

The top moment from the night was also the most baffling, and perhaps the least relevant to voters, unless the election ends up being decided by the nation’s most avid golfers. Faced with a question about each candidate’s mental and physical strength, Presidents Biden and Trump instead chose to bicker about who was the better golfer. Biden bragged about his gold handicap and challenged Trump to a game, which elicited a laugh from Trump. How does this relate to politics? It’s anyone's guess, but the exchange proved to be an accurate encapsulation of a confusing and-- at times-- unintentionally funny night.

Did you watch the debate? Let us know in the comments what you thought about the night. Try to keep it civil.