By Mary Jones | Friday, June 30, 2024 | 3 min read
In the high-stakes world of presidential debates, truthfulness plays a critical role in shaping public perception and influencing voter decisions. The first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump was a prime example of this dynamic. The widespread perception that Biden emerged victorious can be attributed, in large part, to Trump’s repeated falsehoods. Here’s a closer look at how this unfolded.
The Role of Fact-Checking
Fact-checking has become a vital aspect of modern political discourse. Numerous organizations, including PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, and major news networks, meticulously examine the claims made by both candidates during the Biden-Trump debate. Fact-checkers found that Trump made a significant number of false or misleading statements. These ranged from exaggerations about his administration’s accomplishments to outright false claims about Biden’s record and policies.
For instance, Trump launched a series of attacks against President Biden, portraying him as an ineffective leader. Trump’s criticism often included falsehoods, misleading statements, and a lack of context.
Trump assailed Biden’s personal character, labeling him “weak” and claiming he was not respected by global leaders, who supposedly were “laughing” at him. He also accused Biden of corruption, suggesting he was a “Manchurian candidate” paid by China, an allegation for which there is no evidence. Additionally, Trump blamed Biden for an alleged surge in immigrant-related violence, asserting that immigrants were “killing our citizens at a level we’ve never” seen. This claim is exaggerated and not supported by current statistics.
In a wild misrepresentation of facts, Mr. Trump falsely claimed that Mr. Biden “encouraged” Russia to attack Ukraine. In reality, Mr. Biden has consistently sought to rally support for Ukraine, and his administration took active steps to warn President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia against invading.
Mr. Trump’s remarks during the debate were not substantially different from his typical rhetoric at rallies, where he portrays President Biden as both bumbling and corrupt, steering the country to ruin. However, the barrage of attacks during the debate was particularly striking, given that Mr. Biden was standing mere feet away, unable to interrupt or effectively challenge Mr. Trump due to debate rules that kept his microphone muted.
The debate’s moderators, CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, focused on maintaining order and did not attempt to fact-check Mr. Trump’s assertions, allowing his statements to go unchallenged.
Mr. Biden managed to land a few punches during the debate, contributing some of the more memorable moments. He accused Mr. Trump of having the “morals of an alley cat” and brought up the allegation that Trump had sex with a porn star while his wife was pregnant.
By and large, Mr. Biden found himself on the defensive from the outset, facing a barrage of insults, false characterizations, and attacks from Mr. Trump. Seizing on Mr. Biden’s halting speech early in the debate, Mr. Trump capitalized on a moment when Biden trailed off, remarking, “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don’t think he knows what he said, either.”
Trump’s most forceful attacks focused on immigration, an issue central to his successful 2016 campaign and one he is trying to place at the heart of his bid to return to the White House.
Public Perception and Trustworthiness
Public perception of the candidates’ honesty and trustworthiness is crucial in debates. A candidate who is perceived as frequently lying can quickly lose the trust of the audience. During the debate, Biden maintained a relatively calm and composed demeanor, often responding to Trump’s accusations with fact-based rebuttals and direct appeals to viewers.
Trump’s barrage of false statements likely contributed to a perception among viewers that he was less honest and reliable. In contrast, Biden’s emphasis on facts and his ability to counter Trump’s falsehoods effectively enhanced his image as the more trustworthy candidate. Trustworthiness is a key factor for many voters, and in this debate, it appeared to tilt in Biden’s favor.
Debate Dynamics and Presentation
The dynamics of the debate were also telling. Trump’s approach was aggressive, characterized by frequent attacks and attempts to dominate the conversation. While such tactics might energize a candidate’s base, they can also be perceived negatively by undecided or moderate voters.
Biden, on the other hand, adopted a more measured approach. He addressed Trump’s false claims directly and appealed to viewers’ sense of fairness and decency. This contrast in styles was significant. Viewers who were put off by Trump’s behavior might have seen Biden’s calm and composed responses as a sign of strong leadership.
Media Coverage and Analysis
Post-debate media coverage plays a significant role in shaping public opinion. Following the debate, many media outlets highlighted Trump’s false statements and fact-checked his claims in detail. This coverage often contrasted Trump’s misinformation with Biden’s more fact-based approach.
Headlines and analyses from major news organizations framed Biden as the winner of the debate, in part because he was perceived to be more truthful and reliable. This media narrative can have a powerful impact on public perception, reinforcing the idea that Biden won because Trump’s falsehoods undermined his credibility. A FN flash poll of registered voters who viewed the debate found 65 percent saying Biden won the debate and 35 percent saying Trump won it based on integrity and honesty.
Voter Trust and Decision-Making
In this debate, Trump’s numerous false statements likely eroded trust among undecided voters or those leaning away from partisan commitments. Biden’s focus on truth and his ability to effectively counter Trump’s claims helped him to appear more presidential and trustworthy.
For many voters, the decision at the ballot box is influenced by which candidate they believe will lead with integrity and honesty. In this debate, Biden’s perceived victory was closely tied to his ability to present himself as the more honest and reliable choice, in stark contrast to Trump’s pattern of falsehoods.
