Candidates for the highest government office in the United States held their first round of debates on September 29 in Cleveland, Ohio.

The hour and a half discussion, which took place in the auditorium of Case Western Reserve University, was moderated by Fox News anchor Chris Wallace.

As noted by the American media, the debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden was very tense and sometimes turned into a skirmish.

Opponents raised a number of sensitive issues, including the situation in the national economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The current head of the White House accused the rival of intending to reintroduce quarantine measures in order to “close” the economy and “destroy” the country.

  • Protests against racial discrimination and police violence in Portland

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  • © Leah Millis

In turn, Biden stressed that it is impossible to correct the situation in the economy until the epidemiological crisis ends.

In addition, he accused Trump of inaction, because, according to him, the current president was aware of the high danger of the new virus back in February. 

During the debate, the opponents could not avoid mutual insults.

So, Biden called his opponent a "liar", "clown" and repeatedly tried to interrupt him.

"Maybe shut up, buddy?"

- the politician turned to Trump.

For his part, the current American leader questioned the former vice president's intellectual abilities.

“You were the last [in grades] in your class,” Trump told Biden after he said the president should be “smart” about the coronavirus pandemic.

“Never say the word“ smart ”when talking to me.

There is nothing smart about you, Joe, ”added Trump.

When it came to recent events in the United States, during which there have been clashes between left-wing activists and right-wing radicals, Trump refrained from denouncing organizations such as the Proud Boys, which are associated with ideas of superiority of white citizens.

He urged them to "step aside," but at the same time urged them to "do something" with the antifa and the left.

Transition to personalities

Also during the debate, the topic of tax deductions paid by Trump's companies was raised.

Recall that during the 2016 election campaign, Donald Trump did not publish his tax return, although usually candidates for the post of head of state publish such data.

In September 2020, The New York Times received information from anonymous sources about tax payments by Trump's companies in recent years, and, as it turned out, these payments were very small.

Trump's companies acted within the framework of the law, receiving tax deductions due to lack of profit.

Commenting on this story, Joe Biden promised, if he wins, to repeal those provisions of the tax code that allowed Trump to evade taxes.

  • The Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas

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  • © Las Vegas Sun / Steve Marcus

“[Trump] says he's smart because he knows and takes advantage of loopholes in tax laws.

Therefore, I will cancel Trump's tax breaks ... I will cancel these taxes and make sure that we invest in people who really need help, ”said the Democratic Party candidate.

For his part, Trump accused Biden of allegedly intent on destroying private health insurance, as well as the socialist bias of the Democratic Party.

Joe Biden denied these charges.

Trump also rebuked Biden for not doing anything to solve problems in 47 years of his political career.

“Not making mistakes makes you the worst president in US history,” the Democratic candidate responded.

Biden also recalled the accusations made earlier in the media against Trump.

Allegedly, Russia was paying the Afghan Taliban for attacks on the American military in Afghanistan, and the president knew about this, but did nothing.

Although the official Pentagon has not yet been able to find evidence to support these accusations, Democrats are actively using this topic to attack Trump.

"He's Putin's dog," Biden said of Trump.

"He doesn't want to ask Putin for a bounty on the heads of American soldiers."

The head of the White House hastily interrupted his opponent, talking about the corruption scandal around Joe Biden's son, Hunter.

Commenting on the first debate between Trump and Biden, experts noted that until now, candidates for the presidency of the United States did not allow themselves to use such offensive language against each other.

“Trump deliberately provoked his opponent by focusing on criticizing his personality.

And Biden fell for it, "said Yuri Rogulev, director of the Franklin Roosevelt Foundation for the Study of the United States at Moscow State University, in an interview with RT.

A similar point of view is shared by Vladimir Vasiliev, Chief Researcher at the Institute of the USA and Canada, RAS.

“Both Trump and Biden tried to denigrate each other during the debate using politically incorrect techniques.

It was Trump who brought this style to politics.

And the Democrats picked it up, although they had criticized such behavior before, ”the expert stated in a commentary on RT.

"Akin to a horror movie"

It is worth recalling that politicians exchanged sharp attacks on the eve of the debate.

For example, as Donald Trump stated, his opponent can take stimulants to better speak during the discussion.

“I'm ready to take the stimulant test.

I believe that this should be done by him, because he speaks in very different ways, "- said Trump.

For his part, Biden warned in advance that Trump would try to get personal during the debate.

“I suspect he will attack directly and primarily in a personal manner.

This is the only thing that he knows how to do ... He does not know how to debate, he is not that smart, "said the former US Vice President.

  • US polling station

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The next round of debates between candidates for the presidency of the United States is scheduled for October 15, the final will be held on October 22.

Today Joe Biden is ahead of Donald Trump in ratings.

The Democratic candidate is supported by 49.9% of US citizens, while the incumbent head of the White House enjoys success with 42.1% of voters.

These statistics are provided by NBC News based on the last ten published opinion polls.

However, analysts doubt that the debate could significantly affect the candidates' pre-election ratings.

As Vladimir Vasiliev noted, the style of the debates changed from year to year, but their role remained unchanged - the candidates used the discussion to win over the vacillating electorate to their side.

“This debate differs from all the previous ones in that each of the candidates, in fact, addressed only his constituents.

That is why the discussion turned into a skirmish.

At the same time, Biden, unlike Trump, failed to demonstrate leadership qualities, ”Vasiliev said.

According to Yuri Rogulev, the format of the debates that the candidates have chosen for themselves may, rather, cause irritation among voters than a positive response.

“It is not yet clear how this debate will affect the ratings of candidates, especially since there are two more rounds ahead.

And the majority of voters have long been determined, we are talking about influencing a small part of the electorate.

In fact, at the last debates the candidates did not present anything new and significant.

But the discussion became something akin to a horror film, because the audience felt devastated, disappointed and annoyed, ”concluded the expert.