Sparks fly in historic Biden-Trump showdown: Key moments and takeaways

The presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on CNN highlighted several key moments and insights, Caliber.Az reports.

President Joe Biden, 81, appeared hoarse and had difficulty articulating his points clearly, contrasting with the more vigorous 78-year-old Trump. Biden's struggle to convey his achievements and defend his record, especially on border security, was evident. Trump capitalized on these moments, questioning Biden's coherence.

Trump reiterated his frequent election denialism, accepting the 2024 results only if they are "fair and legal," while repeating false claims about the 2020 election. Biden's retort, "You're a whiner, and you lost the first time," underscored the contentious nature of their exchange.

This debate was historic as it was the first between a sitting president and a former president. They clashed over a range of issues, including abortion, immigration, foreign policy, and inflation, with discussions becoming personal and bitter. Biden highlighted Trump's criminal convictions, while Trump mentioned Biden's son, Hunter, and his own scandals.

Biden failed to address voters' concerns about his age and missed chances to effectively challenge Trump on key issues such as the 2020 election reversal of Roe v. Wade. His hoarse voice and stumbling delivery did little to reassure voters of his capability to lead.

Trump was relatively restrained, refraining from constant interruptions and mocking. He did, however, seize opportunities to critique Biden's performance and policies.

Biden's debate goals were unclear. The defences of his record were often deep in policy details, and his attacks on Trump lacked clarity and impact. His performance did little to quell concerns about his capacity to campaign effectively.

Biden attempted to use one-liners to counter Trump, with mixed success. His references to Trump's derogatory comments about American war dead and allegations involving Stormy Daniels were notable moments.

Biden directly addressed the January 6 Capitol attack, accusing Trump of inciting and failing to act. Trump avoided discussing the attack and shifted focus to his perceived successes during his presidency.

Biden struggled with the topic of abortion, despite its significance to his campaign. Trump's support for the Supreme Court's ruling on the abortion pill mifepristone provided him a surprising advantage in this discussion.

Both candidates presented starkly different views on the Israel-Gaza conflict, with Trump suggesting a more aggressive stance and Biden emphasizing US support for Israel.

The immigration debate highlighted Biden's stumbles and Trump's evasion of direct answers regarding deportations. Trump shifted the blame for crime to Biden's immigration policies.

Trump criticized Biden's handling of global affairs, including relations with Russia and the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Biden defended his actions and emphasized the importance of NATO.

Both candidates made bids for Black and Latino voters. Trump blamed Biden for inflation and job losses among these communities, while Biden acknowledged ongoing challenges and touted his policies.

Both Biden and Trump attributed economic challenges to the pandemic. Biden criticized Trump's initial handling of COVID-19, while Trump defended his administration's response and blamed subsequent issues on Biden.

The debate was a revealing look at the strengths and weaknesses of both candidates as they vie for the presidency in the 2024 election.