Biden loses TV debate against Trump

Biden v. Trump: the first TV debate

Joe Biden and Donald Trump met yesterday in the first of the two scheduled TV debates. Surveys conducted immediately afterwards show Trump as the winner. CNN, which organized the duel, found that Trump performed better for two thirds of viewers. The bar was set relatively low for President Biden, who was generally not expected to perform too strongly in such a debate. It was therefore important for him to make as few mistakes as possible. However, he probably came across as stumbling over answers, rambling, and having low energy. This is likely to fuel the debate as to whether he can hold the office for another four years given his age (he would be 86 at the end of a second term). Another – and final – televised debate between the two rivals is scheduled for September 10.

President Biden is very unpopular

In the election campaign, Joe Biden has to contend with the handicap that he has extraordinarily low approval ratings among Americans. Surveys show that only 40% of respondents are currently satisfied with his performance in office. This is even four points lower than President Trump's approval rating at the same point in his term of office. Biden's approval rating took a hit with the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, from which it has not recovered. At first glance, this is surprising, as the economic situation is good overall. The unemployment rate has been at 4% or lower for two and a half years, the longest stretch since the late 1960s. More important for many Americans, however, has obviously been the very high rate of inflation in recent years.

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