By Annie Hoang
Staff writer
Americans watched presidential candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden go head to head in the presidential debate broadcasted on Sept. 29. While students expected a calm, informational debate, they instead endured long and foolish bickering. Trump’s interruptions and dishonesty allowed Biden to come out on top. As students, we can learn from Trump’s missteps as well as Biden’s success at the debate and apply it to our own discussions.
Trump is no stranger to disrespect. He repeatedly interrupted Biden’s two-minute period, resulting in both candidates speaking over one another. This made it nearly impossible for viewers to distinguish the two candidates’ arguments. Trump’s aggressive behavior towards Biden also highlights the lack of respect our president, our supposed role model, demonstrates towards his own citizens. By blocking out Biden’s argument, Trump is not allowing citizens to hear both sides and come to their own conclusions. Despite the example set by our nation’s leaders, we as students must understand that respect is the key to a thoughtful, productive debate.
Additionally, Trump supported several of his arguments with misleading or false evidence. According to CNN politics, Trump’s comments were not just “one-time slips” but rather blatant lies. He even claimed the “Portland sheriff” supported him, to which Multnomah County Sheriff Daniel Dale replied on Twitter, “I have never supported Donald Trump and will never support him.” This dishonesty lessens the credibility of his argument. With accurate facts, students can avoid Trump’s mistakes and strengthen their opinions.
Biden wasn’t perfect, however, especially in his reactions to Trump. In the face of attacks and interruptions, Biden casually laughed and quipped “Will you shut up, man” and “Keep yapping, man.” He even called Trump a “clown.” Although Biden’s responses were poor at first, he overcame Trump’s attacks and truly spoke to the country. Whenever Biden spoke directly to the camera instead of Trump, he was at his most empathetic. He set a good example for students, depicting how simple acts of compassion can move a crowd.
If Trump’s aggression and dishonesty didn’t convince you of his loss, his answer on white supremacy will. When asked to condemn white supremacist groups, Trump responded with “Sure” but soon called on the Proud Boys, a white supremacist organization, to “stand back and stand by.” Trump’s refusal to condemn white supremacists directly and enthusiastically reveals his true feelings towards the topic. Active antiracism is nonpartisan, so Trump lost support from both parties with his ambiguity.
The last debate did not provide Americans with long-awaited answers. With the new rules, only one microphone would be on at a time. Although the rules limited interruptions, it was unable to prevent Trump’s false accusations and statements. In his first term, Trump spoke more lies than he did truths. Is this the man who will lead our nation to success?