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Donald Trump (l.) And Joe Biden (r.)
Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP
A more confident presenter and a calmer US president: the second and last TV duel before the US presidential election was largely more civilized than the first TV debate.
Presenter Kristen Welker had asked US President Donald Trump and his challenger Joe Biden at the beginning of the debate on Thursday evening not to interrupt each other - moreover, she could have muted each of the two at the push of a button.
It looked obvious.
Because the first TV duel at the end of September was chaotic, mainly because of Trump's interruptions.
But this time too, there were personal attacks.
Donald Trump came on stage without a mask, Joe Biden with a mask.
He took it off at his desk, attracting the public.
The presenter Welker had the duel better under control than the presenter of the first TV duel.
With Trump in particular, it was noticeable that he tried not to interrupt Biden.
The topics:
Fighting the corona crisis:
Donald Trump wanted to take advantage of his own corona disease.
He had the corona virus and quickly got better after the treatment, said Trump.
The virus is being fought.
"It will go away again," said Trump.
He takes "full responsibility" for the crisis.
However, he resisted a lockdown.
He wants to open the country further.
Joe Biden defended himself against the allegation that he was forcing a lockdown.
"I will turn off the virus, not shut down the country," said Biden, who mainly relies on masks, distance and tests.
Internal security:
This was initially about interference by foreign countries such as Russia in the election.
"I made it clear that any country that interferes in American elections will pay a price when I become president," said Biden.
Russia doesn't want him to become president.
Trump used the topic to reiterate his attacks on Biden.
Biden and his family had received money from Russia, Biden's son Hunter was doing crooked business abroad.
Biden denied both.
He said Trump was flattering "crooks" like Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
Trump defended his good relationship with autocrats.
"And we had a good relationship with Hitler before he invaded Europe," Biden replied sarcastically.
Social policy:
Trump reaffirmed his desire to end the Obamacare health program and create a "better" insurance program.
Biden's proposal, on the other hand, builds on Obamacare.
The trillion dollar Corona aid package that had not yet been passed was also discussed.
Biden and Trump blamed the other party for the fact that an agreement was still dragging on.
Trump initially evaded the question of whether he wanted to reunite migrant families.
He later said he would take care of it.
Biden campaigned for a merger.
Racism in
America
:
Biden said he understands why black parents worry about their children.
"The fact is that there is systemic racism in the US," said Biden.
Trump reiterated his allegation that Biden once called black people "super predators".
Biden said he never said that.
In return, he accused Trump of making racist remarks.
He also told the right-wing extremist group "Proud Boys" in the last TV duel that they should "be ready".
Trump said no one has done as much for African Americans as he has since Abraham Lincoln.
Climate change:
"I love the environment," said Trump.
The US has good emissions figures, but China and Russia are dirty.
He got out of the Paris Climate Agreement because it was unfair for the US economy.
Biden said, "Four more years under this man would be really problematic."
He has already met with environmental organizations.
Trump accused Biden, whose plans to fight climate change were $ 100 trillion.
Biden wondered how Trump would come up with this number.
He said he no longer wanted to support the oil industry.
Trump criticized wind and solar energy.
Leadership skills:
Trump said the country had to be made as big as it was before "the plague".
He meant the corona pandemic.
"I will represent everyone, regardless of whether you voted for me," said Biden: "What is on the ballot paper stands for dignity, honor, decency."
The duel was more civilized, but both candidates also became personal.
Biden said to the audience that, unlike Trump, he was a man of honor.
Trump countered, "Don't always pretend you're an innocent baby, Joe."
Biden also accused Trump of being xenophobic.
Immediately before the TV duel, Trump tried to increase the pressure on Biden.
The background is the controversial foreign business of his son Hunter Biden, including with China.
The Trump team presented a former business partner Hunter Biden named Tony Bobulinski, who made serious allegations against the Bidens.
Bobulinski said, among other things, that ex-Vice President Joe Biden, contrary to his testimony, knew about his son Hunter's foreign business.
Specifically, the topic was not discussed in the TV duel.
ptz / height / dpa