A look at the first Biden-Trump showdown in 2020

2024-06-27 17:15:35, Kosova & Bota CNA

A look at the first Biden-Trump showdown in 2020

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Source, Reuters

The first debate of the 2024 US presidential election takes place on Thursday. But this is not the first confrontation between the presidential candidates. VOA correspondent Carolyn Presutti takes a look at the 2020 debate and expectations for Thursday's debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

In their last meeting, one was in his first term as president.

"I've done more in 47 months than you've done in 47 years, Joe," Mr. Trump said.

"People need help," said veteran politician Joe Biden.

The 90-minute encounter was chaotic and with many interventions.

Biden: Will you shut up?

Trump: Look who's on your list Joe? Who's on the list?

Biden: This is very unpresidential...

VOA asked some voters about their memories of that debate.

" It's been a while," says Heidi Harden, a supporter of President Biden.

"I remember Trump being much better," says Jeremy Laurin, a supporter of former President Trump.

"Trump was acting like a petulant child, interrupting him constantly, and Biden was not going to tolerate it," said Adam Bailey, a supporter of Mr. Biden.

A similar political show is expected on Thursday, but it may be a little softer because of the new rules. In this debate, the microphone of the candidate who does not have a turn to speak will be muted.

"I hope it doesn't come to that, but starting from the last debate, it's a good thing," says Chet Edelman, a supporter of Mr. Biden.

One of the most memorable parts of the 2020 debate was when then-President Trump was asked to condemn white supremacists. Analysts say he made a call to them.

Donald Trump: "Proud boys? Proud boys, stand back and stand ready".

Both candidates were asked if they would accept the election results.

"If they are fair elections, I am 100 percent ready. But if I see tens of thousands of tampered ballots, I cannot accept them," was Mr. Trump's statement.

"I will accept it. He will accept it too. Do you know why? Because after the winner is announced, after all the ballots are counted, all the votes are counted, everything ends", was Mr. Biden's statement.

Following Mr Trump's defeat, his supporters stormed the Capitol on January 7 in an attempt to overturn the election result.

Analysts say this debate will not change the convictions of voters who have already made up their minds.

"Joe Biden's supporters will not deal with his speech errors or his misstatements on the grounds that this is Joe Biden, it always has been. Similarly, Trump's supporters will say that this is Trump, he doesn't think much before he speaks," says Peter Loge from George Washington University.

This undecided voter knows what he wants to see in Thursday's debate.

"More love to unite us," says Ben Cox.

A second debate between the presidential candidates is scheduled for September. But this depends on the progress of the first debate on Thursday./ VOA