The First Presidential Debate: Everything You Need To Know

In what many are considering “the most important election of our lifetimes,” President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden will be taking the stage for the first of three debates on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Democrats and Republicans have a long history of slinging words — and not always kind ones — over the issues, and this year has been no different. But if you’ve been thinking there’s more partisan tension than should be the norm… well, you’re not wrong. In the months leading up to the debates, Trump has famously referred to Biden as “Sleepy Joe,” and called him “stupid” on multiple occasions. Meanwhile, Biden has made no secret of his mutual dislike, denouncing the president as “downright un-American.”

In other words, you may want to grab a bowl of popcorn before Tuesday’s debate, as it will no doubt cover both policy and personal insult. However, keying in on the “policy” side of things, here are some of the topics you should expect the candidates to address.

Last updated: Sept. 25, 2020

Trump's Record

As the incumbent president, Trump’s record will be gone over with a fine-tooth comb. Some of the things most likely to be referenced include:

  • The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which allowed billionaires to pay less taxes than the working class in 2018.

  • His vice grip on immigration; from the travel ban he enacted back in 2017 to the ICE border detention facilities that are still going.

  • His continued padding of the already-massive military budget. This includes a recent report that the Pentagon diverted $1 billion in COVID-19 relief spending to military drones, satellites and more.

Why You Should Care

In his first term as president, Trump has been Mr. Executive Order. In other words, he’s not shy to use his power to get what he wants. His record in office has clearly given advantages to the top 1% and the military industrial complex, but it’s taken away from racial minorities and the lower class.

Some would argue that his actions bolstered the economy to record-breaking success — although it’s hard to say how long it would’ve lasted in a world without the coronavirus.

Biden's Record

While Biden has never held the highest position of office, he has a much longer political history than Trump. This could be fortunate or not-so-fortunate for him, depending on how you look at it.

  • He voted to send U.S. troops to Iraq in a move he has since apologized for.

  • A popular issue since Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing, Biden has guarded the right to an abortion throughout his career.

  • As vice president, he was the driving force behind a lot of bipartisan legislation, including a critical stimulus bill during the Great Recession.