President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off in the first presidential debate of the 2024 election season in Atlanta. The USA TODAY Fact Check Team will be monitoring the claims made by the candidates and providing context on key issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, the Israel-Hamas conflict, the war in Ukraine, immigration reform, and concerns about the candidates’ age.
On LGBTQ+ issues, Biden has shown strong support, while Trump has vowed to roll back protections for transgender students and limit gender-affirming care. In the Israel-Hamas conflict, Biden has called for a ceasefire, while Trump has urged Israel to finish the war. In the war in Ukraine, Biden has committed to supporting Ukraine, while Trump has offered vague plans to end the conflict.
On immigration, Biden has taken executive action to implement new restrictions on asylum access, while Trump has pledged to reinstate his previous policies and limit asylum access if re-elected. Both candidates face concerns about their age, with Biden being the oldest U.S. president and Trump facing criticism for his mental acuity.
Despite no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2022 midterm elections, Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee have announced plans to mobilize people in battleground states to ensure transparency and fairness, leading to concerns about voter intimidation and erosion of confidence in the election process.
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