This research analyzes the COVID-19 topic discussed at the 2020 USA final presidential debate. The purposes of this research are to unveil the ideologies represented in the discourses and to describe the effect of the ideologies on socio-cultural practices. The approach employed in this research was the three-dimensional critical discourse analysis by Norman Fairclough, consisting of text analysis, discursive practice analysis, and socio-cultural practice analysis of the discourses. The result of this research shows that the two discourses by the presidential candidates produced distinctive depictions of COVID-19 affected by the ideologies they present. In the text dimension of the first discourse by Donald Trump, he offers a more optimistic view regarding the COVID-19 situation in the United States, where he regards COVID-19 as a passing problem and proposes no changes in its handling. His optimism on the COVID-19 topic has resulted in disappointment and criticism from the American citizens in the socio-cultural practice. Moreover, with his position as the president at that time, few health experts also extend their criticism to the government for the unwillingness to cooperate in the fight against the pandemic, which results in poor COVID-19 handling. Contrary to the first discourse, the text dimension of the second discourse by Joe Biden produces a more pessimistic view towards the COVID-19 situation where he insists that the current situation of COVID-19 in the United States is grave, and the betterment of the COVID-19 is needed. The effect of his pessimism on the COVID-19 topic in the socio-cultural practice is approval from the American citizens. Ultimately, the presidential candidates provided different views of the COVID-19 situation in the United States in order to appeal and convince the American citizens into voting them. However, the discourses are still seen as unsatisfactory by the American citizens due to their inability to give details and elaborations on the plan to fight against COVID-19 in the next four years. Finally, these discourses can instead create and instill indecisiveness in the American citizens’ minds.

Key Words: Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), COVID-19, Presidential Debate, Socio-cultural Practice