Kathmandu. The first 2020 United States presidential election debate was marked by thinly veiled insults. President Donald Trump constantly interrupted Joe Biden, and the former vice president retaliated by asking the president at regular intervals to “shut up.” As issues of Covid-19 management, the voting ballots, escalation of racial violence and the US economy were raised, the debate descended into absolute chaos. The tension was palpable in the first half itself when Trump abruptly interrupted his opponent’s address. Biden responded by calling him “unpresidential” and a “clown”, resulting in Trump scathingly commenting that there was “Nothing smart about you Joe”, referring to the former vice-president’s school records.

The CNN in a litany of news reports contested Trump’s claims during the debates. It particularly highlighted the President’s “baseless” doubts on the voting ballots and the overall outcome of the voting.

There were irreconcilable differences at almost every junction of the debate. The coronavirus management drew special attention as Biden called Trump a “liar” when the latter lauded his administration’s efforts in trying to produce a vaccine and contain the spread of the pandemic. The CNN fact checks have also made notes on several misleading comments that came from both the candidates. It included Biden’s views on trade-deficits with China, and Trump’s claims on Biden calling African Americans “super predators”, a term used by Hillary Clinton in 1996.

In raising the issue of Hunter Biden’s previous business deals and drug addiction, Joe Biden shut down the comments stating that this was not about either of their families, but about the American people. Fox News noted that sources close to the Biden campaign had previously mentioned that the Democratic nominee would not be “engaging in any personal attacks.” Nevertheless, frustrations built between Trump and Biden as barbed words were flung around, and the moderator had to repeatedly urge the candidates to maintain decorum.

In ascertaining the winner of the first Presidential debate BBC mentioned that Biden might have taken the night, simply because he could stay relatively calmer in the stressful situation. However, the report also added that Biden failed to make use of the vital opportunity to thoroughly question Trump on his “hidden taxes.”

What was supposed to be a formal debate on the situation of the nation and a discussion on issues of significance, became a session of personal name-calling, more befitting a school-ground tussle. It ended with the President’s ominous warning that “this will not end well.”