The focus after Thursday’s presidential debate has been on President Joe Biden’s performance and former President Donald Trump’s lies. However, Trump’s xenophobic remarks towards Palestinians and immigrants have been largely overlooked.
During the debate, Trump made derogatory comments about Palestinians, suggesting that Biden was like a “bad Palestinian” and should let Israel “finish the job” in Gaza. The moderators failed to question or challenge Trump’s statements, allowing him to continue unchecked.
Biden, on the other hand, criticized Trump’s remarks but did not provide a substantive rebuttal. He emphasized his administration’s support for Israel while also advocating for a ceasefire with Hamas.
Trump’s anti-Palestinian rhetoric continued in his closing statement, where he also made disparaging remarks about immigrants. Despite the inflammatory nature of his comments, the moderators remained silent.
The debate has raised questions about whether Biden is the best candidate to confront such hate speech. Some Democrats are hesitant to consider alternative candidates, mirroring concerns from the 2016 election. The media’s treatment of Trump’s vitriol as the norm rather than an anomaly is also cause for reflection.
