29 Jun. 24: In the first presidential debate of the current election campaign, Republican candidate Donald Trump ignited controversy by calling President Joe Biden a “bad Palestinian.” The debate took place at the CNN studio in Atlanta, Georgia.
Trump criticized Biden’s stance on Israel’s military actions in Gaza, saying, “He doesn’t want to do it. He’s become like a Palestinian – but they don’t like him because he’s a very bad Palestinian, he’s a weak one.” The remark was widely condemned for its perceived racist undertones and for using “Palestinian” as a derogatory term.
During the debate, Trump accused Biden of being lenient towards Hamas, while Biden defended his support for Israel and advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza. This exchange overshadowed discussions on other significant topics, including refugee policies, abortion, the economy, and foreign policy.
Outside the CNN studio, pro-Palestine protesters demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The debate’s contentious tone has set the stage for a highly charged election season.
Analysts noted that Biden’s fluctuating performance gave Trump an edge. Trump capitalized on Biden’s inaccurate claim that Hamas is rejecting ceasefire agreements, criticizing his opponent’s handling of American captives.
Trump’s anti-refugee rhetoric during the debate also sparked concern among refugee advocates.
The Palestinian issue, despite its importance, was only briefly touched upon during the debate, which addressed a wide range of other pressing issues.
