Truthout
Presidential Debates
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Trump’s Debate Message to White Voters Was to Fear People of Color, Scholar Says
Racism underlies the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump, says professor Carol Anderson.
![Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris debate for the first time during the presidential election campaign at The National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2024/09/2024_0911-Debate-400x300.jpg)
Trump Has Always Been a Ruthless Bully. The Debate Exposed His Weakness.
On the debate stage with Kamala Harris on Tuesday, Donald Trump reaped what he has sown.
![Former President Donald Trump speaks to attendees during his campaign rally at the Bojangles Coliseum on July 24, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2024/08/2024_0808-donald-trump-r-400x300.jpg)
Trump Proposes 3 Debate Nights With Harris, After Previously Canceling 1 of Them
Trump’s call for more debate nights comes as several national polls show him trailing behind Harris.
![Former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2024.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2024/07/2024_0730-trump-um-400x300.jpg)
Donald Trump Suggests He May Opt Out of Debate With Kamala Harris
“I can also make a case for not doing it,” Trump said when asked if he's still planning to debate Harris in September.
![Former President Donald Trump speaks after officially accepting the Republican presidential nomination on stage on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2024/07/2024_0722-donald-trump-rnc-400x300.jpg)
Trump Demands Changes for Debate, Prompting Claims He’s Afraid to Debate Harris
Trump also suggested that the Republican Party should be “reimbursed” due to Biden dropping out.
![President Joe Biden delivers remarks at a meeting of the heads of state of the North Atlantic Council at the 2024 NATO Summit on July 10, 2024, in Washington, D.C.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2024/07/2024_0711-joe-biden-400x300.jpg)
Two-Thirds of Americans Want Biden to Drop Out
Ten Democrats in the House and one in the Senate have now called for Biden to step aside.
![President Joe Biden speaks on the phone while walking from Marine One to board Air Force One before departing McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey on June 29, 2024.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2024/07/2024_0701-jb-400x300.jpg)
Poll Shows Voters Want Biden to Drop Out. His Family Is Telling Him to Continue.
Democratic insiders recognize that either option — staying with Biden or finding a new candidate — comes with concerns.
![President Joe Biden (right) and former President Donald Trump participate in the CNN Presidential Debate at the CNN Studios on June 27, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2024/06/2024_0628-debate-d-400x300.jpg)
Amid Climate Crisis, Global Warming Was Glossed Over in Presidential Debate
Neither Biden nor Trump directly answered whether they would do anything as president to address the climate crisis.
![Former President Donald Trump (left) and President Joe Biden are pictured at the CNN Presidential Debate at CNN Studios along with an image of a man and his children waking past destroyed buildings in Khan Yunis.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2024/06/2024_0628-gaza-debate-400x300.jpg)
First Debate Underscored Both Candidates’ Fealty to Israel Amid Genocide
Neither Trump nor Biden seem willing to address the root causes of the Palestinian struggle and regional instability.
![President Joe Biden participates in the CNN Presidential Debate at the CNN Studios on June 27, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2024/06/2024_0628_biden-400x300.jpg)
Biden’s Performance at First Debate Reignites Calls for Him to Step Aside
The White House has been adamant Biden will be on the ballot even as voters indicate they would prefer another nominee.