Loyal to Himself

If the presidency couldn’t change and temper Donald Trump, it will certainly not change or temper him during an election campaign in the midst of a pandemic, an economic recession and a wave of anti-racism protests.

That was no debate. There can be no debate with this president. Donald Trump has never had respect for the rules of the game, so how would he have respect on the night the two campaign teams agreed on? Not only was Joe Biden subject to Trump’s rude interruptions, but Trump ignored the moderator, Chris Wallace, an experienced journalist from the Trump-friendly Fox News network.

There couldn’t have been anything left to surprise us, and sure enough, nothing did. Trump ruins everything he touches, and the first debate between the presidential candidates was no exception, so much so that on Tuesday, many wondered if repeating such a pitiful spectacle for a second time was even worth it since it did nothing to boost the image of the United States or its democratic process.

If anything, the only remarkable thing about the debate was Biden’s fortitude. H did not back down at any point during the encounter, not even in the face of the most offensive attacks on his family. There was no debate, but there was a winner. Trump failed to take advantage of Biden’s apparent weaknesses, especially his age, stuttering and hesitation. Even the contrast between Trump’s energy and aggressiveness and the passiveness and restraint of his opponent failed to help. On the contrary, the night’s conclusion for many voters is that sleepy Joe could be a good president, someone who will be especially useful in turning the dark page of history that the Trump presidency represents.

If anyone thought that Trump would rise above himself, give up his constant lying, taunting and arguing, and act presidential for the first time, such wishful thinking common among moderate Republicans went out the window on Tuesday. This is how he became president, this is how he has run the country for the last four years, and this is how he intends to win again in November, by causing a ruckus. If you accept that the presidency couldn’t change or keep Trump in check, then being president will clearly not change or keep him in line during an election campaign amid a pandemic, economic recession and a wave of anti-racism protests.

As he confirmed by his behavior during the debate and with the election polls in hand, Trump’s election campaign strategy is leading to a defeat, one the may only be remedied by a recount when all is said and done with the help of an overwhelming majority of conservative judges he hopes to have in the Supreme Court once the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed. Trump is relying on a strategy that involves intimidating his opponent, even going so far as to encourage his supporters to pressure Democratic voters at the polling places so they will give in to Trump’s absolute determination to stay in the White House.

The candidates’ debate is a political institution in the United States. Trump, an expert in destroying institutions, was particularly effective in this line of work on Tuesday. The debate was transformed into a pitiful political boxing match from which there were no winners, only losers, particularly democracy. Trump wants to eke a victory out of this defeat.