GEORGIA — The earliest presidential debate in U.S. history was held in Atlanta on Thursday night, airing on CNN. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump squared off for the first time in four years as it was a night filled with gaffes and misleading statements.
In case you missed it, here are three key moments from the debate:
Biden calls Trump a convicted felon
Despite Biden’s performance causing panic and concern among Democrats, the incumbent had several good moments and one of those came when he slammed Trump for his conviction and other legal issues.
“The only person on this stage who is a convicted felon is the man I’m looking at right now,” Biden said.
Trump shot back, calling out Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, for his own conviction, while repeating claims that his own criminal cases are part of a “witch hunt.”
“I did nothing wrong,” Trump said. “We have a system that’s rigged and disgusting.”
Trump refuses to take responsibility for January 6
Trump refused to take accountability for the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Instead, the blamed former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and appeared to suggest those who stormed the Capitol were innocent.
“You ought to be ashamed of yourself,” Trump told Biden.
Biden responded by saying those who stormed the Capitol should be imprisoned for their crimes.
“If they’re convicted, he says he wants to commute their sentences,” Biden said. “These people should be in jail. They should be the ones held accountable.”
‘You’re the loser!’
The most heated debate of the night came when the discussion turned to the military. Biden brought up reports that Trump described U.S. veterans as “suckers” and “losers.” The President then spoke about his late son, Beau Biden, who was a veteran and died of cancer.
In 2020 Jeffery Goldberg reported for The Atlantic that Trump mocked killed soldiers when cancelling a trip to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, in France, in 2018.
“In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.” In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as “suckers” for getting killed.” The Atlantic
“My son was not a loser. He’s not a sucker,” Biden said. “You are the sucker. You’re the loser!”
Trump denied making the comments, criticizing the media for publishing what he claimed was a “debunked” and “made up” story, while demanding Biden apologize.
“Not a chance,” Biden answered.
