Trump and Biden Participate in Debates with Voters on Rival US Broadcasters | 2020 U.S. elections

They should have clashed in a debate in Miami, Florida, canceled after President Trump hired Covid-19 and refused to participate in an event in virtual format.

Trump answered voter questions for 60 minutes in an NBC News studio, mediated by journalist Savannah Guthrie, while Biden spoke to the audience in Philadelphia for 90 minutes on ABC, mediated by George Stephanopoulos.

Donald Trump and Joe Biden still have a debate before the November 3 election, scheduled for October 22 in Nashville, Tennessee, mediated by NBC News’ Kristen Welker.

See how each interview went

In the Miami interview, the current president and candidate for reelection reinforced that the government took the necessary measures to contain the new coronavirus by Ban travelers from China from entering the U.S.in January, even under the protests of the Democrats.

Trump, however, did not answer why it did not take other measures to stop the infections in February – month in which he was warned about the severity of Covid-19, according to the book by journalist Bob Woodward.

Asked about the use of masks, the Republican suggested that Americans wear them, if they wish, but then gave incorrect information: that 85% of people who wear the item contract the coronavirus.

The president also said that he was opposed to closing the country and said that New York has become a “ghost town” with people leaving due to the pandemic and lockdown measures.

“The cure cannot be worse than the disease,” Trump said.

Regarding the hiring of Covid-19, the Republican stated that “I don’t remember” when you tested positive and said he “probably” passed the exams on the day of the debate with Joe Biden; according to Trump, he was examined “almost every day.” He also said that he had few symptoms of the coronavirus and that he no longer feels anything related to the disease.

• Racism and conspiracy

Trump denied that he was fleeing the issue of racism in the United States. “I denounce white supremacists and have been doing it for years,” he said.. The Republican had been accused of failing to condemn racist groups during the debate with Biden.

The president also said the party tried to pass a police reform bill in Congress that would better prepare police officers to deal with the public and prevent events like the one that ended with George Floyd’s death. According to the Republican, the Democrats banned the proposal.

Regarding QAnon, a conspiracy theory that believes Trump will save America from “Satanist pedophiles” infiltrating the government and among Democrats, the president said he knew nothing of the group that believes and spreads this thesis. “I know they are very against pedophilia,” he said.

Trump again denied the “New York Times” report that said he did not pay taxes in consecutive years, but ended up admitting that he owes money; however, the president did not say to whom he owes it.

“The numbers [apresentados pela reportagem] You are wrong […] and they represent a small percentage of my assets, ”said the Republican.

• Abortion and appointment of a conservative judge

Trump defended the choice of conservative Amy Coney Barrett as Supreme Court Justice, but said he did not speak to her on sensitive issues, including abortion. The practice is allowed nationally in the US due to a court decision from the 1970s, which some ranks in the Republican Party advocate reversing.

President did not say if he would do anything to reverse abortion laws, but defended that each state has the right to decide which is the best approach to the issue.

The President of the USA promised a quick recovery of the country after the shock caused by the start of the pandemic and said that the results will arrive in early November. Trump added that this positive data will arrive two days before the elections, which, for the Republican, will generate a “red wave”, in reference to possible voters of the party.

At the end of the interview, Trump asked for votes when he said he did a “great job.” “Our economy is strong and we have jobs like never before,” he said, adding that the government “has rebuilt the military and the borders.”

• Transition of power in case you lose to Biden

Trump has admitted that he will accept a peaceful transfer of power if he loses to Biden. “But I want it to be an honest election,” he said, adding that “he firmly believes that he will win the election.”

Moments earlier, he had suggested that the fairness of the vote was in jeopardy when he was informed of “thousands of ballots in trash cans.” The interviewer then considered that the director of the FBI himself denied that there was substantial evidence of electoral fraud.

Biden was asked if he would take and indicate a Covid-19 vaccine shortly after its approval, as his vice candidate, Kamala Harris, said in a debate that she would not take the immunizer if Trump directed, but scientists.

The Democrat said that he clearly trusts the scientists and keeps in touch to find out about the polls, but he also does not trust what the current president says, after all he says “crazy”, remembering the episode where you suggested that people inject disinfectant against or coronavirus.

When asked if vaccination would be mandatory, Biden said that the population cannot even be forced to wear masks and therefore knows that it would be impossible to try to launch a mandatory vaccination campaign.

The candidate, who was always in favor of wearing masks, also recalled that “if 85% of people wore masks, they would not even need a confinement.”

A young black man posed a question in a provocative tone, evoking a statement for which Biden already apologized, made in May, that blacks who had doubts about whom to vote are ‘not black’, asking what else he would have to say to them. . voters.

The former vice president responded by citing plans to expand funding for low-income schools and financial aid for those wishing to buy their first home, as well as aid plans for black entrepreneurs, who currently have a harder time obtaining funds. He also cited data on black universities and his position on justice system reform as points that would make him more attractive to these voters than Trump.

When asked by a Republican voter who was unwilling to vote for Trump about the Crimes Act he helped pass in 1994, and which many accuse of being unfavorable to minorities, especially blacks, Biden admitted to being wrong in supporting the law in general, but said there are parts that are good and bad.

According to him, the ban on assault weapons was a positive aspect, but a negative point that he disagrees with was that it gave money to states to expand prison systems. In addition, he also does not believe that people should go to prison for drug use, but should be referred for rehabilitation. “We have to decriminalize marijuana, change the system. From punishment to rehabilitation ”.

As for the police, Biden said he was in favor of meaningful national reform that would bring them closer to the community.

“Most cops don’t like bad cops. We have to have transparency. If a police officer is to be charged, for example, it has to be a prosecutor from outside the community. Another thing is that the police need to work together with psychologists and social workers, ”he said.

Biden said police officers are often called in for cases they are unprepared to handle, such as people with psychiatric problems who pose a risk to themselves or others.

Speaking about the appointment of Judge Amy Barrett, the Democrat said he had “great concern for the LGBT community and because the president goes to the Supreme Court a month after the election to try to get Obamacare out of millions.”

According to him, the Constitution implies that citizens choose the composition of the Supreme Court according to who they choose for the Senate and the presidency – and the electoral process has begun, with millions of votes already sent by mail. That is why a judge could not be appointed at this time.

Once again, when asked if the number of judges would increase if elected, he again avoided answering clearly, stating that ‘if I answer the question directly, then the whole focus will be on’ what Biden will do if he wins, rather than whether It’s appropriate. ” What’s going on now. ‘And this is something the president loves to do, which is to always look away from the ball. ”

But he admitted that “I am open to consider what happens based on what happens now.” However, Biden promised that before the November 3 election he will give voters a concrete answer about what he will do if elected..

When a voter mentioned the return of troops to the United States and the recent peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates as positive aspects of Trump’s foreign policy, Biden said he gave the president some credit, but not much. .

“We are more isolated than ever. ‘America First’ left America alone. You have Iran closer to having enough nuclear material to build a bomb. North Korea has more bombs and missiles available. Our allies in NATO are there. saying publicly that he can’t count on us. “

He also said that the United States no longer arouses much confidence around the world and that Trump “spoke to Putin six times and we don’t know what, and he exchanged love letters with Kim Jong-un.”

A little-discussed issue during the campaign was addressed by the mother of two girls, one of them transgender, who cited discriminatory policies of the Trump administration, which do not allow transgender people to enlist in the military and even withdrew the word of the sites government website. She questioned what Biden would do to protect people like the girl.

“It would just change the law. It would remove those executive orders,” said the Democrat, saying there should be “zero discrimination” and that “there is no reason to suggest that your daughter should be denied any rights,” Biden said, “nothing. that his other daughter has the right to be and do. None (right). Zero. ”

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