5 moments you might have missed in the Trump-Biden debate
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President Biden (R) and former President Trump (L) participate in the CNN Presidential Debate on June 27 in Atlanta. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Purported claims, racist slights and personal confrontation were passed over by both moderators and some viewers of Thursday's presidential debate.
Why it matters: Bizarre moments took the back burner as reactions focused on disconcertment over President Biden's performance and former President Trump's lies.
"Black jobs": Following a line of questioning about disappointed Black voters, Biden defended his record on improving material conditions for Black Americans.
- In his response, Trump — again — brought up immigration and said migrants are "taking Black jobs now. And it could be 18, it could be 19 and even 20 million people — they're taking Black jobs and they're taking Hispanic jobs."
- "What exactly are Black and Hispanic jobs!?!" the NAACP said on X during the debate. Jamie Harrison, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, posed the same question.
Childcare flop: When asked about childcare affordability, Trump twice gave unrelated responses.
- "For many families, the cost of childcare for two children is more than their rent," CNN debate moderator Jake Tapper said.
- Trump's response to the question returned to some of his default debate topics: the military and the border. When he was asked the question again, he turned to taxes.
- "He did virtually nothing for childcare," Biden said. "We should significantly increase the childcare tax credit."
"He's a very bad Palestinian": Trump used the identity as a slur against Biden, adding that the president didn't want to help Israel "finish the job" against Hamas.
- "I've never heard so much foolishness," Biden responded.
- The candidates barely addressed humanitarian suffering in Gaza.
About golf: Both candidates were among their most passionate during a puzzling exchange over golf performance.
- "I've told you before, I'm happy to play golf if you carry your own bag," Biden said. "Think you can do it?"
- The two went back and forth over their golf aptitude.
After-birth abortion: Trump falsely claimed that Democrat-led states have worked to allow executions of children as part of their protections of reproductive rights.
- "They're radical," Trump said, "because they will take the life of a child in the eighth month, the ninth month and even after birth."
- No state has passed a law allowing this, per CNN's fact check.
- Trump celebrated the fall of Roe v. Wade and the patchwork abortion landscape that has existed in the two years since.
Go deeper: Biden blunders dominate combative debate with Trump
