The Biden-Trump confrontation, historic in many ways

2024-05-05 16:16:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

This year's presidential election in the United States is making history on many levels.

They will face former president Donald Trump, Republican, and the current president, Joe Biden, Democrat.

Both of them were running for president in 2020 as well, and the repeated confrontation takes place for the first time in almost 70 years.

If he wins, Biden, 81, would become the oldest US president to secure a second four-year term in November.

He has dismissed any possible doubts about his mental and physical stamina.

Trump, who faces a raft of criminal charges for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election result - which made Biden the winner - as well as other alleged wrongdoing, is the first US president to stand trial for one criminal charge.

At 77, he would also be among the oldest men to serve as president if he were to win a second term.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 70, scion of the famous Kennedy political family, will also run, but as an independent candidate.

Six months before the Nov. 5 election, national polls show Biden and Trump in a very close race.

The Biden-Trump confrontation, historic in many ways

Voters, meanwhile, cite the economy, border security and political extremism as top concerns.

Both candidates also have low poll ratings - making turnout a moot point.

What are Biden's main arguments?

Biden's bid for a second term hinges on his stewardship of the economy, after emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, and what he calls the "battle for America's soul" — a fight against Trump and the Republicans aligned behind him, who Biden labels them as extremists.

Much of Biden's campaign is focused on warning voters that Trump poses a mortal threat to American democracy.

Biden has accused Trump of instigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Congress building, as well as conspiring to retaliate against those trying to punish him.

At the same time, the president and his campaign argue that the economy, a top priority for many voters, has rebounded sharply, that unemployment has fallen to its lowest levels in generations, that gross domestic product has grown faster than it is expected that salaries have increased.

The Biden-Trump confrontation, historic in many ways

However, inflation, which has peaked in 2022, continues to be at a stagnation point. It has fallen somewhat in recent months, but voters remain concerned about the high prices of key products such as: food, fuel, cars and housing.

Biden cites federal investments in infrastructure, clean energy and chip manufacturing, which he says will generate long-term job growth.

In foreign policy, Biden is traditional and believes that the US should have a leading role in international affairs, in order to maintain global security.

What are Trump's main arguments?

Trump and his campaign claim that Americans have been better off economically during his time in the White House.

They repeatedly point to inflation and high interest rates during Biden's tenure.

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in April, Trump has come out ahead of Biden in terms of which of them is better for the economy. The result was 41% against 34%.

Trump has said he will cut federal spending — which Republicans say has driven up inflation and consumer prices — and cut taxes.

He has also said he will revive his tough anti-immigration policies to curb the record influx of immigrants to the US from Mexico, as well as mass deportations.

The Biden-Trump confrontation, historic in many ways

Thousands of immigrants have been bussed into major cities across the US, and Trump - without offering any evidence - has said the influx has increased crime.

Countering Biden's accusations that he is a danger to democracy, Trump has accused the Biden White House of weaponizing the Justice Department to prosecute him and prevent him from winning a second term.

The Justice Department says it operates without political influence.

As for foreign policy, Trump embraces what he calls an "America First" agenda. He vows to keep the country out of "permanent wars" and claims he can end the Ukraine-Russia conflict within 24 hours.

What are Trump's legal troubles?

Trump faces indictments in four cases in federal and state courts. They relate to his efforts to overturn the result of the 2020 election, his misuse of classified documents and his involvement in a bribery scheme that also involved a porn star.

The bribery trial is taking place in state court in Menhata and is the only one against Trump to take place this year.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

What do Biden and Trump think about abortion?

Democrats have made abortion the centerpiece of their campaign this year — two years after the Supreme Court — with a conservative majority installed by Trump — overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade and found that abortion is not protected by the Constitution.

Opinion polls show that most Americans do not support strict restrictions on reproductive rights. And Democrats hope that threats to these rights will encourage millions of women and independents to vote for them.

The Biden-Trump confrontation, historic in many ways

Biden, who has once disagreed with his party's support for abortion rights, has vowed to sign legislation supporting those rights.

The issue has divided Republicans — Trump says it should be left up to individual states, while others call for a national ban.

Trump supports exemptions when it comes to: rape, incest and protecting the life of the mother.

What do Biden and Trump think about border security?

Since taking office in 2021, Biden has faced a record number of immigrants who have been caught illegally crossing the US-Mexico border.

Some liberal Democrats have criticized Biden for using Trump's measures to reduce illegal crossings, but the White House says it is moving to a more humane and orderly system, offering immigrants new ways to enter. legally.

Trump, on the other hand, has vowed to increase border security and oversee the largest deportation effort in US history.

What do Biden and Trump think about the Israel-Hamas conflict?

Biden has been strongly criticized by many Democrats for his unwavering support for Israel, which is in conflict with Hamas - a terrorist group designated by the US and other powers - in the Gaza Strip.

Protests have erupted in many cities and on university campuses across the US.

The Biden-Trump confrontation, historic in many ways

The Biden administration has called on the Israeli government to reduce the offensive in Gaza, where, according to health officials there, more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Trump and Republicans also support Israel and have accused pro-Palestinian protesters of being anti-Semitic.

But Trump has called on Israel to "end" the war, or risk losing global support.

He has not clarified whether his policy towards Israel will be different from that of Biden.

What do Biden and Trump think about China?

The Biden administration has said it wants to de-risk its relationship with China and work to maintain competition between the world's No. 1 and No. 2 economic powers.

However, Biden has recently proposed imposing more tariffs on Chinese goods, such as steel and aluminum products.

Biden has also vowed to defend Taiwan from possible attack by China.

Trump favors a policy of ambiguity, to deliberately create uncertainty about how the US would act if it attacked China.

The Biden-Trump confrontation, historic in many ways

While some Republicans see China as a growing threat to national security, Trump has largely characterized the Asian giant as an economic rival and has vowed to impose new tariffs on Chinese imports.

What do Biden and Trump think about Ukraine?

Biden has strongly supported sending more weapons and other aid to Ukraine, which is fighting a Russian invasion, while Trump has repeatedly expressed doubts about whether such aid is in the US national interest.

However, Trump has recently said that Ukraine's survival is important to the US.

In February, Trump caused controversy when he said that the United States should not protect NATO countries that do not spend enough on defense./ REL