Debate Night: Trust in US Elections and the Peaceful Transition of Power

While the headlines coming out of last night’s debate have largely focused on Biden’s concerning debate performance, candidates did address—or skirt—two issues central to US democracy: trust in US elections and the peaceful transition of power. 

Trump’s continued maligning of the US election system as “rigged” and the 2020 election as “stolen” has led to a decrease in trust in US elections and an increase in threats against election officials.

CNN’s Dana Bash asked Trump if he would accept the results of the 2024 election no matter the outcome and after all legal options were exhausted. Trump stated that political violence is “totally unacceptable”. However, he performed a now familiar dance, saying he would accept the results only if he deemed the election “fair, free”, and “legal”. Trump then repeated his long-debunked but persistent claim that fraud in the 2020 election justified his refusal to accept the result, and again asserted that the legal cases against him were politically motivated. Biden condemned Trump’s continued insistence that the election was rigged despite several unsuccessful legal challenges.

Regarding January 6, Biden has sought to make Trump’s actions disqualifying in the eyes of voters. In last night’s debate, Trump did not seem eager to engage on the topic. He attempted to deflect CNN moderator Jake Tapper’s question about Americans who feel that Trump violated his constitutional oath on January 6 by launching into his economic and foreign policy performance as president. Indeed, Trump seemed more at ease going on the offensive than defending his behavior during the 2020 election’s aftermath.

When pressed to answer, Trump stated that he instructed the rioters to protest “peacefully and patriotically”. He also again praised some of the January 6 rioters. Biden chided Trump for watching the insurrection unfold instead of speaking out earlier, despite the wishes of Vice President Mike Pence and others, and for considering commutations or pardons for January 6 rioters if elected. Trump also levied the claim that Biden “weaponized” the government against him, though Trump himself has promised to do precisely that if elected. Biden pointed out and condemned this.

Thursday's debate gave us insight into how Biden and Trump will message around these two issues throughout the campaign. Trump’s performance was riddled with inaccuracies and falsehoods, but he appeared to be messaging more to a general audience than directly to his base, as he does at his rallies. As for Biden, there is now a question mark about his spot at the top of the ticket.