Biden’s bold claim backfires as Trump’s counterattack exposes hidden truth, leaving viewers stunned

President Joe Biden’s assertion that he had “saved Israel” backfired spectacularly when former President Donald Trump launched a harsh counterattack, revealing deep-seated tensions between the two candidates on Middle East policy.

According to a report by NewsMax on Friday, June 28, 2024, the debate, held on Thursday night in Atlanta, quickly devolved into a heated exchange over the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, with both candidates vying to position themselves as the stronger ally to Israel.

Biden’s attempt to showcase his support for Israel by declaring, “We’re providing Israel with all the weapons they need and when they need them,” was met with skepticism from Trump, who accused the current administration of wavering in its commitment.

Trump’s response was swift and cutting, as he proclaimed, “Israel is the one, and you should let ’em go and let ’em finish the job,” implying that Biden’s approach was hindering Israel’s efforts to combat Hamas.

The former president then shocked viewers with a controversial statement, saying, “He’s become like a Palestinian. But they don’t like him because he’s a very bad Palestinian, he’s a weak one,” a remark that immediately sparked outrage and debate on social media platforms.

Biden, visibly taken aback by Trump’s accusation, struggled to regain his footing, his response at times halting and unclear, fueling concerns about his ability to handle the pressures of a second term at the age of 81.

The exchange highlighted the stark differences in the candidates’ approaches to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Trump advocating for a more aggressive stance and Biden emphasizing the need for caution in populated areas. As the debate progressed, the tension between the two candidates only intensified, with each attempting to paint the other as unfit for office.

Trump seized on Biden’s occasional verbal stumbles, mockingly stating, “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don’t think he knows what he said either,” a comment that drew both laughter and criticism from the audience.

Biden, for his part, attempted to shift the focus to Trump’s controversial past, asking pointedly, “How many billions of dollars do you owe in civil penalties for molesting a woman in public, for doing a whole range of things, for having sex with a porn star on a night while your wife is pregnant?”

The president’s attack on Trump’s character culminated in a stinging rebuke: “What are you talking about? You have the morals of an alley cat.” The debate’s format, which included strict time limits and the threat of microphone muting, seemed to work in Trump’s favor, as Biden often cut himself off mid-sentence when his time was about to expire.

One particularly awkward moment came when Biden, discussing Medicare, abruptly stated, “We finally beat Medicare,” before his microphone was cut off, leaving viewers puzzled and Trump ready to pounce. Trump quickly capitalized on Biden’s gaffe, pivoting to the issue of illegal immigration and its potential impact on social services, warning, “They’re gonna destroy Social Security. This man is going to single-handedly destroy Social Security.”

The debate took a darker turn when the topic shifted to the events of January 6, 2021, and Trump’s legal troubles, with Biden launching into a scathing critique of Trump’s conduct both in and out of office. Trump, seemingly unfazed by Biden’s attacks, countered by drawing comparisons between the current wave of antisemitism on college campuses and the infamous Charlottesville rally of 2017.

“You talk about Charlottesville, this is 100 times Charlottesville, 1,000 times Charlottesville, the whole country is exploding because of you, because they don’t respect you,” Trump declared, attempting to turn the tables on Biden’s frequent references to the Charlottesville incident.

The debate’s focus on Israel and Jewish issues, while brief, highlighted the importance of these topics in the upcoming election, with both candidates eager to portray themselves as staunch supporters of Israel. Biden’s claim that he had “saved Israel” was met with skepticism from some viewers, who pointed out the ongoing tensions between his administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump’s aggressive stance on allowing Israel to “finish the job” resonated with his base but raised concerns among those who fear an escalation of the conflict in Gaza. The candidates’ differing approaches to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reflect broader disagreements on foreign policy, with Trump advocating for a more unilateral approach and Biden emphasizing the importance of international cooperation.

The debate’s aftermath saw pundits and political analysts dissecting every word and gesture, with many expressing concern over Biden’s at-times shaky performance. Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley even went so far as to predict, “Mark my words … Biden will not be the Democrat nominee,” a statement that sent shockwaves through political circles.

Despite the focus on foreign policy and character issues, domestic concerns dominated much of the debate, with both candidates sparring over immigration, the economy, and healthcare. Trump’s accusation that Biden was putting illegal immigrants on Medicare and Social Security tapped into longstanding concerns among his base about the impact of immigration on social services.

Biden’s attempts to defend his record on the economy and healthcare were often overshadowed by his verbal missteps, giving Trump ample ammunition for attack.