As the upcoming debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris approaches, it is worth reflecting on Trump's past debates with Hillary Clinton in 2016. These debates shed light on the challenges both candidates face in what is expected to be a closely contested election.
During their first debate, Trump initially displayed good behavior, even agreeing with Clinton on certain issues. However, as the debate progressed, he became more combative, criticizing Clinton for being a 'typical politician' with no real action.
Clinton, on the other hand, maintained her composure and responded to Trump's attacks with a dismissive attitude, often laughing off his remarks. She strategically chose not to get rattled by his insults.
The second debate took a more aggressive turn, with Trump bringing up Bill Clinton's past scandals and threatening to investigate Hillary if he won the presidency. Despite the heated exchanges, Clinton remained composed and directed viewers to fact-check Trump's false allegations on her website.
The final debate highlighted the issue of Russian election interference, with Clinton accusing Trump of being influenced by Putin. Trump, in turn, denied any connections to Russia and criticized Clinton for her handling of classified information.
Throughout the debates, Trump's debating style was characterized by interruptions and quips, while Clinton focused on maintaining a calm demeanor. Trump often took advantage of the split-screen format to project strength and react visibly to Clinton's statements.
Despite the differences in their debating approaches, the debates underscored the gender dynamics at play, with Trump's physical presence looming over Clinton at times. Clinton later reflected on the discomfort she felt during these moments.
As the upcoming debate between Trump and Harris looms, observers can expect a clash of styles and strategies. Trump's history with Clinton provides insights into his debating tactics, while Harris will bring her own experience and skills to the stage.
