The most troubling highlight of the debate would come when the discussion turned to the division between the left and right in 21st century American politics. Trump tried to suggest that Biden would be at the behest of the radical left and the left of the Democratic Party, with Biden countering “I am the Democratic Party right now”.
However, when the moderator Chris Wallace asked the president if he was prepared to condemn white supremacists, his response, or lack thereof, have left many onlookers aghast. Trump initially suggested he would condemn such groups but stopped short of actually doing so, even after being prompted by both Wallace and Biden to do just that.
Trump asked Wallace who he was supposed to condemn, to which Wallace suggested he condemn the far-right Proud Boys, an all-male, anti-immigrant and heavily armed group who have endorsed the use of violence. Trump said, “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by, but I’ll tell you what, somebody’s got to do something about antifa and the left.”
