Biden’s Friend Shares Wild Way He Helped Him Prepare for Trump Debate

In a riveting revelation, former Obama White House counsel Bob Bauer detailed his role in helping then-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden gear up to face off against then-President Donald Trump in the heated 2020 election debates. Bauer, now an advisor to Biden, delved deep into his preparations in his new book “The Unraveling: Reflections on Politics Without Ethics and Democracy in Crisis,” which hit the shelves this week.

Bauer recounted how he immersed himself in the persona of Trump, aiming to mirror the former president’s signature traits of being personally insulting and unhinged. To achieve this, Bauer diligently studied hours of Trump’s tapes from his days as a businessman, a 2016 candidate, and his time in office. Taking notes on Trump’s extemporaneous speeches on various subjects became a crucial part of Bauer’s strategy.

Valerie Biden Owens, Biden’s sister, emphasized how Bauer was committed to getting under Trump’s skin with his portrayal of the then-president during their debate prep sessions. Bauer strove to embody Trump at his most provocative, focusing on his verbal assaults and bombastic style rather than a full-scale impression of the controversial figure.

On the other side of the ring, Trump was being coached for the debates by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, once a loyal supporter turned vocal critic of the president. The dynamic between Trump and Christie took a surprising turn when both men tested positive for COVID-19 and required hospitalization.

Trump’s COVID diagnosis came just three days before the first debate, with conflicting test results complicating the situation. Christie, who had been in close contact with Trump during that critical period, later admitted that he had contracted the virus from the then-president, leading to his own stint in the ICU.

The stage was set for a clash of titans as CNN announced plans to host Biden and Trump’s first debate in Atlanta on Jun. 27. With anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash steering the conversation, both candidates were in for a showdown like no other. The rules were strict, with the candidates’ microphones set to be muted when it wasn’t their turn to speak and no live audience present to add to the intensity.

Looking ahead, ABC News was slated to host the second debate on September 10, promising another high-stakes face-off between Biden and Trump. As the nation held its breath in anticipation, the battle of wits and wills between these political giants continued to captivate audiences across the country.