A terrible storm, this is what summed up the first presidential debate organized on Tuesday, September 29 between the two main presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
The two men appeared on stage at the call of their names. They took their places, without first shaking hands due to the Covid-19 epidemic, behind the desks installed in the hall of the University of Cleveland (Ohio) chosen to host the event. Then the disorder set in, sweeping away the moderator, the yet veteran Chris Wallace, of the Fox News channel. And in successive waves have surged, aggressiveness, bitterness and meanness.
During the previous days, Donald Trump’s campaign team had multiplied war metaphors, even evoking a “Destruction” of the former Democratic vice-president, regularly portrayed as undermined by age. The outgoing president has stuck to this course, continuously interrupting his opponent, mocking his answers, openly displaying his contempt, including on his university career (Joe Biden has not gone through the major institutions of the country). “There is nothing intelligent about you”, assured Donald Trump. The objective was clear: to push his opponent off his hinges by counting on one of the strokes of blood that punctuated the latter’s long career and which would make him appear to his disadvantage.
Periodically, Joe Biden has been on the verge of giving in. ” Shut up “, “It’s hard to place a word with this clown, excuse me, this person”, “Keep barking, my boy” : on many occasions, the formulas of arguments of tipsy drinkers escaped him under the influence of the exasperation, also contributing to lower the debate.
Recall the order
However, the former vice-president resisted, even managing to regularly list proposals and projects without paying attention to the incessant spikes of his opponent. Joe Biden even ended up finding an effective parade, that of paying no attention to the outgoing president to speak directly to the camera in front of him, in order to speak to his fellow citizens.
The troublemaker was quickly appointed by Chris Wallace, initially taken aback by the turn of events. “Mr. President, your campaign team has agreed that both camps have [pour chacun des thèmes évoqués] two minutes without interruption “, he finally let go, while sometimes trying to bring Donald Trump to better dispositions. “You will be happy”, he thus assured by announcing subjects where he expected to be more at ease, in particular on security issues. Neither the call to order, nor the cajoling paid off.
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