The 2020 Election: A Comparison Of Trump And Biden's Platforms

Laila Abdi

6 min read

Post on May 16, 2025

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Economic Policies: A Tale of Two Approaches

The 2020 election saw two fundamentally different economic approaches vying for the presidency. Trump's and Biden's economic platforms diverged significantly on key issues, reflecting contrasting philosophies on government's role in the economy.

Trump's Economic Platform

Trump's economic strategy centered around significant tax cuts, deregulation, and protectionist trade policies.

• Tax Cuts: The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a cornerstone of his administration, significantly lowered corporate and individual income tax rates. Proponents argued this stimulated economic growth, while critics pointed to increased national debt and benefits skewed towards the wealthy. Keywords: tax cuts, economic growth, trickle-down economics.
• Deregulation: The Trump administration pursued a policy of deregulation across various sectors, aiming to reduce the burden on businesses and stimulate investment. This approach, however, raised concerns about environmental protection and consumer safety. Keywords: deregulation, business growth, environmental protection.
• Trade War: Trump initiated a trade war with China, imposing tariffs on numerous goods. While he aimed to protect American industries and jobs, this led to increased prices for consumers and disrupted global supply chains. Keywords: tariffs, trade war, protectionism.

Biden's Economic Platform

Biden, in contrast, advocated for a more interventionist approach, emphasizing government investment and social safety nets.

• Raising the Minimum Wage: A key component of Biden's platform was raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, aiming to improve the living standards of low-wage workers. This proposal faced opposition from some businesses concerned about its potential impact on employment. Keywords: minimum wage, income inequality, job creation.
• Infrastructure Investment: Biden proposed a substantial investment in infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and broadband internet access. This investment was intended to create jobs and boost long-term economic growth. Keywords: infrastructure spending, economic stimulus, job growth.
• Addressing Income Inequality: Biden's plan aimed to address income inequality through tax reforms, expanding access to education and healthcare, and strengthening labor unions. Keywords: income inequality, wealth redistribution, social safety net.

Healthcare: Divergent Visions for American Healthcare

Healthcare emerged as a central battleground in the 2020 election, with Trump and Biden offering sharply contrasting visions for the future of the American healthcare system.

Trump's Healthcare Stance

Trump consistently sought to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), arguing it was too expensive and ineffective. He favored market-based solutions, emphasizing competition and consumer choice.

• ACA Repeal and Replacement: Despite repeated attempts, Trump's administration failed to fully repeal the ACA. His proposed replacements generally focused on tax credits and deregulation to encourage competition among private insurers. Keywords: ACA repeal, healthcare reform, market-based healthcare.
• Focus on Pre-existing Conditions: While advocating for ACA repeal, Trump also pledged to protect individuals with pre-existing conditions, a key provision of the ACA. However, the specifics of how this would be achieved remained unclear. Keywords: pre-existing conditions, healthcare access, healthcare costs.

Biden's Healthcare Plan

Biden, in contrast, championed expanding access to affordable healthcare.

• Public Option: A central element of Biden's plan was a public health insurance option, allowing Americans to buy into a government-run plan. This aimed to increase competition and lower costs. Keywords: public option, Affordable Care Act expansion, universal healthcare.
• Lowering Prescription Drug Costs: Biden proposed measures to lower prescription drug costs, including allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies. Keywords: prescription drug costs, Medicare negotiation, pharmaceutical industry.

Climate Change: Contrasting Approaches to Environmental Policy

The candidates' differing stances on climate change highlighted a fundamental disagreement on environmental policy and the role of government in addressing global warming.

Trump's Environmental Policies

The Trump administration pursued policies that rolled back environmental regulations and withdrew from international agreements on climate change.

• Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement: Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement was a highly controversial move, drawing criticism from environmental advocates and international leaders. Keywords: Paris Agreement, climate change denial, environmental regulations.
• Deregulation of Environmental Protections: The Trump administration weakened or eliminated numerous environmental regulations, affecting areas such as air and water quality, and emissions standards. Keywords: environmental deregulation, carbon emissions, climate change mitigation.

Biden's Climate Change Plan

Biden presented an ambitious plan to address climate change through investments in renewable energy and stricter environmental regulations.

• Investment in Renewable Energy: Biden proposed a significant investment in renewable energy sources, aiming to transition the US to a clean energy economy. Keywords: renewable energy, green energy, clean energy jobs.
• Emission Reduction Targets: His plan included ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Keywords: emission reduction, climate change mitigation, greenhouse gas emissions.

Social Issues: Differing Perspectives on Key Social Matters

The 2020 election also saw significant disagreements on key social issues, reflecting the deep divisions within American society.

Trump's Stance on Social Issues

Trump's positions on social issues often sparked controversy and polarized public opinion.

• Immigration Policy: Trump pursued a restrictive immigration policy, including building a wall on the US-Mexico border and implementing stricter immigration enforcement. Keywords: immigration policy, border security, immigration reform.
• Gun Control: Trump opposed stricter gun control measures, emphasizing the right to bear arms. Keywords: gun control, second amendment, gun violence.
• Abortion Rights: Trump appointed conservative judges who opposed abortion rights, signaling his intention to restrict access to abortion services. Keywords: abortion rights, reproductive rights, pro-life.

Biden's Stance on Social Issues

Biden's stances on social issues generally reflected a more liberal approach.

• Immigration Reform: Biden advocated for comprehensive immigration reform, including a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Keywords: immigration reform, pathway to citizenship, DACA.
• Gun Violence Prevention: Biden supported stricter gun control measures, aiming to reduce gun violence. Keywords: gun violence prevention, background checks, assault weapons ban.
• Reproductive Rights: Biden supported the right to safe and legal abortion, opposing measures that would restrict access to reproductive healthcare. Keywords: reproductive rights, abortion rights, pro-choice.

Conclusion: Understanding the 2020 Election Platforms – A Final Analysis

The 2020 election presented voters with starkly contrasting choices, particularly regarding economic policy, healthcare, climate change, and social issues. Trump's platform emphasized tax cuts, deregulation, and a more protectionist approach, while Biden advocated for increased government investment, social safety nets, and a more active role in addressing climate change and social justice. Understanding these Trump and Biden’s policy differences is crucial for analyzing the 2020 election platforms. The outcome significantly shaped the nation's direction on these critical issues for years to come. We urge readers to continue researching the candidates' platforms and engage in informed discussions about the long-term implications of the 2020 election. By carefully examining the comparing 2020 presidential candidates’ approaches, we can better understand the challenges and opportunities facing the United States.