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Unanswered questions
Two weeks ago, The Morning published a list of questions that we wished Kamala Harris would answer. Today — the day of the debate between Harris and Donald Trump — we’re publishing questions for Trump. As before, my Times colleagues who are covering the campaign helped put this list together.
The economy
1. The signature legislation of your presidency was a tax cut that disproportionately helped the wealthy. Now you want to make this legislation permanent — and expand it. How will a tax cut geared toward the rich help most American families?
2. The federal debt is already large, and your tax cut would expand it. Do you have any plans to reduce the debt?
3. You have sent mixed signals about whether you will again try to repeal Obamacare. Will you? And when will you release your own health care plan, as you’ve long promised?
4. You have proposed a big tariff on goods coming into this country. Many business executives and economists say it will raise consumer prices. Why do you think they’re wrong?
5. You have signaled that you want to end the Federal Reserve’s independence and help set interest rates yourself. When other countries have politicized their central banks, inflation has tended to rise. Why do you favor this idea?
6. You promised to pass an infrastructure bill as president but didn’t. President Biden did — along with bipartisan laws on veterans’ health, manufacturing and more. Why has he been a more bipartisan president than you were?
Other domestic issues
7. You’ve said that you are proud of the demise of Roe v. Wade and that states should decide abortion policy. Will you promise to veto any congressional bill that imposes new restrictions on states?
8. Many abortions occur through prescription medications. Five months ago, you said you would announce a policy on medication abortion, but you haven’t. Will you take executive actions to restrict its availability?
9. You promised to build a border wall — a policy that many voters support — but you completed only modest sections of it. Why should voters believe you will succeed in a second term?
Trump seen from behind standing next to a man in a baseball cap, next to a long metal barrier.
Trump in Arizona. Doug Mills/The New York Times
10. You have called for the mass deportation of illegal immigrants. Whom exactly would you deport — everybody who’s in this country illegally, including children and people who’ve been here for years, or only some groups? And how would you identify and apprehend people?
11. Extreme heat, severe storms and flooding have all become more common. Yet you’ve called climate change “not our problem.” Are you worried about the world you’re leaving to your grandchildren?
Foreign policy
12. You’ve suggested that Vladimir Putin should have a freer hand to do what he wants in Europe. Would you try to withdraw the U.S. from NATO?
13. You have criticized U.S. military aid to Ukraine and pledged to end the war there in a single day. Isn’t this effectively calling for Ukraine to surrender and accept a peace deal favorable to Putin?
14. You have promised to bring home the hostages in Gaza. How would you persuade or force Hamas to release them all?
15. Middle East policy during your presidency often followed the wishes of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister. His unwillingness to compromise on big questions appears to be an obstacle to peace. Do you disagree with him on anything?
16. If Iran appeared to be building a nuclear weapon, would you order a military attack?
17. You were tougher on China than your predecessors. But you also recently abandoned your opposition to China’s ownership of TikTok, evidently after being lobbied by a Republican donor. Are you willing to stand up to China even if it costs your allies money?
Trump himself
18. You tried to overturn the 2020 election result after Biden beat you. Do you believe in American democracy?
19. On Jan. 6, 2021, rioters attacked police officers at the Capitol. You’ve praised those rioters, raised money for them, pledged to pardon them and met with their relatives. Do you understand why this angers officers who were injured in the attack and the families of those who died afterward?
20. A jury found that you had sexually abused E. Jean Carroll. Another jury convicted you for falsifying records to cover up an affair. And you have a long record of demeaning women. Do you regret any of this behavior?
21. You used your power as president to enrich yourself and your family, including by holding events at your properties. Will you do so again?
22. The governments of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the U.A.E. have invested billions of dollars with a fund run by Jared Kushner, your son-in-law, even though he has little relevant investment experience. Do you think they’re trying to curry favor with you through him?
23. Four years from now, you would be 82. In public appearances, you sometimes give incoherent answers, including a recent one about child care. Will you release your complete medical records?
24. Multiple people who watched you up close as president — including your vice president and a chief of staff — say that you’re unfit to be president. Why do so many of your own appointees feel this way?
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