CNN Presidential Debate Notes

Introduction

• Location: Georgia, key battleground state
• Event: Debate between current US President Joe Biden and former US President Donald Trump
• Moderators: Dana Bash and Jake Tapper
• Broadcasted on: CNN networks and platforms

Debate Rules

• Trump on the left; Biden on the right
• Coin toss determined positions
• 2 minutes to answer, 1 minute for responses/rebuttals
• Microphones turned on/off accordingly
• No studio audience, pre-written notes, props, or campaign staff contact
• 2 minutes closing statements

Economy

President Biden

• Inherited a struggling economy and pandemic mismanagement
• Created 15,000 new jobs, 800,000 manufacturing jobs
• Emphasis on reducing housing prices and corporate greed
• Brought down the price of prescription drugs

President Trump

• Claimed he had the greatest economy pre-COVID
• Blamed mandates and Biden’s spending for inflation
• Mentioned no new wars during his term
• Criticized Biden’s handling of inflation and immigration

National Debt

President Trump

• Claims tax cuts spurred economic growth
• Increased revenue despite lower corporate taxes
• Criticized Biden’s spending

President Biden

• Criticized Trump’s $2 trillion tax cut benefiting the wealthy
• Proposes fixing the tax system ensuring wealthier Americans pay fair share

Abortion

President Trump

• Supports Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade
• Believes in exceptions (rape, incest, life of the mother)
• Claims states are handling the issue now

President Biden

• Supports Roe v. Wade
• Prefers decision-making between woman and doctor, not politicians
• Plans to restore Roe v. Wade

Immigration

President Biden

• Emphasized bipartisan efforts and increasing border security
• Criticized Trump’s family separation policy

President Trump

• Claimed border was secure under his administration
• Criticized Biden for opening borders and increasing crime
• Promised large-scale deportations

Foreign Policy

President Trump

• Criticized Biden’s handling of Russia and Ukraine
• Claimed he prevented wars during his term
• Asserted he could resolve the Russia-Ukraine war quickly if elected

President Biden

• Called Putin a war criminal
• Emphasized the importance of international alliances like NATO in containing Russia

Climate Change

President Trump

• Advocates for clean air and water
• Criticized Paris Accord as unfair to the US

President Biden

• Enacted climate change legislation
• Joined Paris Accord
• Emphasized the existential threat of climate change

Social Security and Medicare

President Biden

• Plans to increase taxes on the wealthy
• Defended actions taken for veterans

President Trump

• Criticized Biden for alleged mismanagement
• Claimed millions of migrants are stressing the system

January 6 and Democracy

President Trump

• Defended his actions on January 6
• Criticized Nancy Pelosi and the handling of the Capitol riot

President Biden

• Accused Trump of inciting Capitol riot
• Emphasized the need to uphold democracy

Voters' Concerns and Age

President Biden

• Highlighted his accomplishments
• Dismissed age-related concerns

President Trump

• Emphasized his fitness through cognitive tests

Closing Statements

President Biden

• Stressed tax fairness, healthcare, and reducing inflation
• Criticized Trump’s tax proposals

President Trump

• Blamed Biden for military and economic issues
• Promised to reestablish US greatness