Trump’s Unanswered Debate Questions
In all the extensive analysis of the June 27 presidential debate, I have not seen one important detail discussed, and that is the questions Trump evaded answering. While Trump rarely misses an opportunity to lie, it is instructive to note the questions that even he could not find a way to lie out of. Or perhaps by avoiding answering he is endorsing the answer we suspect he would give. You can check out the transcript yourself here and you can post your analyses in the Comments.
TAPPER: President Trump, staying on the topic of immigration, you’ve said that you’re going to carry out, quote, “the largest domestic deportation operation in American history,” unquote. Does that mean that you will deport every undocumented immigrant in America, including those who have jobs, including those whose spouses are citizens, and including those who have lived here for decades? And if so, how will you do it?
TRUMP: [something else]
….
BASH: Let’s move to the topic of foreign policy. I want to begin with Russia’s war against Ukraine, which is now in its third year.
Former President Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin says he’ll only end this war if Russia keeps the Ukrainian territory it has already claimed and Ukraine abandons its bid to join NATO.
Are Putin’s terms acceptable to you?
TRUMP: [something else]
….
TAPPER: Let’s turn to the issue of democracy. Former President Trump, I want to ask you about January 6, 2021.
After you rallied your supporters that day, some of them stormed the Capitol to stop the constitutionally mandated counting of electoral votes. As president, you swore an oath to, quote, “preserve, protect and defend,” unquote, the Constitution. What do you say to voters who believe that you violated that oath through your actions and inaction on January 6th and worry that you’ll do it again?
TRUMP: [something else]
Tapper gives him a second opportunity to answer
TAPPER: You have 80 seconds left. My question was: What do you say to those voters who believe that you violated your constitutional oath through your actions, inaction on January 6th, 2021, and worry that you’ll do it again?
TRUMP: [something else]
…..
BASH: Another persistent challenge is the climate crisis. 2023 was the hottest year in recorded history, and communities across the country are confronting the devastating effects of extreme heat, intensifying wildfires, stronger hurricanes, and rising sea levels.
Former President Trump, you’ve vowed to end your opponent’s climate initiatives. But, will you take any action as President to slow the climate crisis?
TRUMP: [something else]
Bash also tries to get an answer from Trump.
BASH: 38 seconds left, President Trump. Will you take any action as President to slow the climate crisis?
TRUMP: [something else]
….
TAPPER: President Biden, thank you so much. Let’s turn to the cost of childcare, which many American families struggle to afford.
President Trump, both you and President Biden have tried to address this issue, but the average cost of childcare in this country has risen to more than $11,000 a year per child. For many families, the cost of childcare for two children is more than their rent. In your second term, what would you do to make childcare more affordable?
TRUMP: [something else]
….
TAPPER: Let’s discuss an epidemic impacting millions of Americans that both of you have made a top priority in your first term, the opioid crisis. And for both of you, the number of overdose deaths in this country has gone up. Under your term, it went up. Under your term, it has gone up.
Former President Trump, despite the efforts that both of you have made, more than 100,000 Americans are dying from overdoses every year, primarily from fentanyl and other opioids. What will you do to help Americans right now in the throes of addiction, who are struggling to get the treatment they need?
TRUMP: [something else]
Again Tapper tries to get an answer
TAPPER: So, President Trump, you have 67 seconds left. The question was, what are you going to do to help Americans in the throes of addiction right now who are struggling to get the treatment they need?
TRUMP: [something else]