Washington, DC – President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump clashed in their first debate of the 2024 election, exchanging jabs and misinformation. The debate showcased the stark contrast in the campaign styles of the two candidates, with Trump known for deploying false and misleading claims, while Biden tends to rely more on exaggerations.
When it comes to the economy, Trump boasted about the greatness of his economic policies, but the facts paint a different picture. Despite claiming to have the greatest economy in history, Trump’s presidency was marred by a massive recession triggered by the pandemic. Even before the pandemic, economic growth under Trump fell short of the levels achieved during Bill Clinton’s presidency. Under Biden, economic growth has been stronger compared to Trump’s tenure.
Another area of contention was on the issue of abortion, with Trump making inaccurate claims about late-term abortions and infanticide. In reality, no state permits the killing of a baby after birth, and abortions later in pregnancy are rare and often a result of serious complications that put the life of the woman or fetus at risk.
The COVID-19 pandemic also became a point of contention, with Biden accusing Trump of suggesting the injection of bleach to treat the virus. While Trump did mention the possibility of injecting disinfectant, it was not a direct endorsement of injecting bleach.
On the issue of migrants, Trump made false claims about the impact of illegal immigration on crime rates in the U.S. While there have been high-profile crimes allegedly committed by individuals in the country illegally, overall statistics do not support the narrative of migrants causing a surge in crime. In fact, studies have shown that immigrants living in the U.S. illegally are less likely to be involved in criminal activities compared to native-born Americans.
The debate highlighted the ongoing battle of narratives between the two candidates, with each side seeking to sway voters with their version of the truth. As the 2024 election continues to unfold, it is crucial for voters to fact-check and critically evaluate the claims made by both candidates before heading to the polls.