Candidates: President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump.
Moderators: Dana Bash and Jake Tapper.
Debate Structure: Coin toss determined the positions, 2 minutes to answer questions, 1 minute for rebuttals, and 1 minute for follow-ups at moderators' discretion.
No studio audience, pre-written notes, or props allowed.
Key Issues Discussed
The Economy
Biden: Inherited a failing economy from Trump, pandemic mishandled, created jobs and manufacturing positions, pushing for housing and rent reforms, capping corporate greed.
Trump: Claimed to have the greatest economy pre-COVID, blamed Biden for inflation and economic downfall, argued Biden’s job gains were 'bouncebacks' from COVID.
National Debt and Taxes
Trump: Advocated for extending tax cuts, argued they spurred economic growth, criticized Biden's spending policies.
Biden: Accused Trump of increasing national debt, proposed taxing billionaires more to secure social programs, argued Trump's tax cuts primarily benefited the wealthy.
Abortion
Trump: Takes credit for overturning Roe v. Wade, supports returning the issue to states, supports exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother.
Biden: Critical of state-level restrictions, proposes restoring Roe v. Wade, argued it's a healthcare decision between a woman and her doctor.
Immigration and Border Security
Biden: Claimed significant improvements in control and reduced illegal crossings, criticized Trump's policy of family separations.
Trump: Criticized Biden for a porous border, claimed increased crime due to illegal immigrants, proposes large scale deportation.
Veterans Affairs
Biden: Highlighted passage of PACT Act, improvements in healthcare for veterans.
Trump: Claimed highest approval rating for VA under his administration, accused Biden of neglecting veterans.
Foreign Policy
Ukraine Conflict:
Trump: Argued Putin wouldn't have invaded Ukraine under his leadership, criticized Biden’s handling of military affairs.
Biden: Described Putin as a war criminal, emphasized international support against Russia.
Middle East:
Trump: Claimed Israel would never have been attacked under his presidency, criticized Biden for weak international standing.
Biden: Emphasized global efforts supporting Israel, proposed a three-phase plan for resolving current conflicts.
January 6 Capitol Riot
Biden: Accused Trump of inciting the riots, emphasized the trials and convictions of perpetrators.
Trump: Defended actions on January 6th, blamed Pelosi and others for not accepting National Guard offer, questioned legality and fairness of election systems.
Social Security and Medicare
Biden: Proposed tax reforms on the wealthy to sustain these programs, accused Trump of intentions to cut these programs.
Trump: Denied wanting to cut Social Security, accused Biden of destroying these programs through mismanagement of immigration.
Climate Change and Environmental Policies
Biden: Highlighted extensive climate legislation and international agreements like the Paris Accord.
Trump: Advocated for clean energy and criticized Paris Accord as financially harmful to the US.
Healthcare and Childcare
Biden: Highlighted ACA improvements, discussed progress on making childcare more affordable.
Trump: Criticized Biden for handling of healthcare, argued about better economic policies during his term lowering costs and improving services.
Closing Statements
Biden: Emphasized progress made, fairness in tax systems, bringing down drug prices, supporting social safety nets.
Trump: Argued country is in decline under Biden, emphasized his past achievements, promised to restore greatness.