Hour and forty of debate: 15 topics, closing arguments and a silent farewell
The two candidates have discussed a total of 15 thematic blocks. In the first block they have focused on the economy (which, according to surveys, is what will decide the vote for 90% of the American population that goes to the polls), national debt, abortion (centered on the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, two years ago), immigration, foreign policy, Israel, democracy (focused on the assault on January 6, 2021) and the crimes of both. In the second block, they have continued with issues that affect the African-American population, climate change, social security and pensions, child care, addictions and opioids, the age of both and police violence.
After a second pause, both candidates made their final statements, each taking a couple of minutes. The presenters then dismissed the debate, and Biden and Trump could be seen standing silently at their lecterns, not looking at each other. While Trump quickly left the stage, the US president was helped down the step of the podium by his wife, Jill Biden, and both approached to greet Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, the CNN journalists who moderated the televised event.
