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| Presidential debate live: Trump tries to steamroll Biden in chaotic clash | Presidential debate live: Trump tries to steamroll Biden in chaotic clash |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Candidates faced off in Cleveland, Ohio, with Chris Wallace of Fox News moderating the bitterly personal showdown | Candidates faced off in Cleveland, Ohio, with Chris Wallace of Fox News moderating the bitterly personal showdown |
| Fact check: drug prices | |
| Donald Trump claimed that he has lowered drug prices, and noted that insulin is now so cheap it’s “like water”. Insulin costs about $300 per vial – and people with diabetes need two or more vials per month. | |
| The president also said that in the future, he’d bring down drug prices by “80 or 90” percent”, though he has failed to explain how that would happen. Although Trump has issued measures to address drug pricing, they have not yet rolled out, and their effects are unclear. | |
| Trump, for example, has sought to allow the US to import drugs from countries where prices are lower – but that would take a while to work out, and require regulatory actions. | |
| Meanwhile, the House last year passed a bill that would authorize Medicare to negotiate prices for expensive medications - in a plan that is much farther-reaching and ambitious than what Trump has done. | |
| – Maanvi Singh | |
| Trump just tweeted this photo, suggesting he was up against both Biden and moderator Chris Wallace during tonight’s debate. | |
| Trump made a similar comment during the debate, as Wallace asked the president for the details of his health care plan. | |
| “I guess I’m debating you, not him. But that’s okay, I’m not surprised,” Trump told Wallace. | |
| The Fox News host was criticized for his handling of the debate, with many commentators saying Wallace failed to sufficiently curtail Trump’s repeated interruptions and crosstalk during the event. | |
| A CNN instant poll of debate watchers showed 60% of viewers said Biden won the debate, while 28% believed Trump won. | |
| Those results are almost identical to the CNN instant poll taken after the first debate between Trump and Hillary Clinton. | |
| In 2016, 62% of viewers said Clinton won the first debate, and 28% said Trump had the better showing. | |
| Donald Trump’s campaign’s official line is that the president “just turned in the greatest debate performance in presidential history,” but Chris Christie, who was on Trump’s debate prep team had a less positive assessment. | |
| Christie, the former New Jersey governor, told ABC that Trump was “too hot”. | |
| “With all that heat, you lose the light,” he said. “That potentially can be fixed. Maybe, maybe not.” | |
| “I do believe that the American people benefited from a clear contrast of what they’ve got right now, but also what they can get and what is possible,” said Kamala Harris, reflecting on tonight’s cacophonic debate. | |
| On CNN, Harris – like Biden and several other Democratic politicians – condemned the president’s refusal to disavow white supremacists. “The president of the United States, in the year of our lord 2020, refuses to condemn white supremacists,” she said. | |
| She evaded a question about whether she and Biden would support adding justices to the Supreme Court – an option that some Democrats have endorsed as Republicans rush through a conservative nominee ahead of the election. Harris said they’ll “deal with later later.” | |
| – Maanvi Singh | |
| Here are a few headlines from major US newspapers summarizing tonight’s chaotic presidential debate: | Here are a few headlines from major US newspapers summarizing tonight’s chaotic presidential debate: |
| New York Times: “With Cross Talk, Lies and Mockery, Trump Tramples Decorum in Debate With Biden.” | New York Times: “With Cross Talk, Lies and Mockery, Trump Tramples Decorum in Debate With Biden.” |
| Wall Street Journal: “Trump, Biden Clash in Contentious First Debate.” | Wall Street Journal: “Trump, Biden Clash in Contentious First Debate.” |
| Washington Post: “First Trump-Biden meeting marked by constant interruptions by Trump.” | Washington Post: “First Trump-Biden meeting marked by constant interruptions by Trump.” |
| On a post-debate call with supporters, the Biden campaign said it raised $3.8m on the fundraising site ActBlue through 10 and 11pm ET tonight. | On a post-debate call with supporters, the Biden campaign said it raised $3.8m on the fundraising site ActBlue through 10 and 11pm ET tonight. |
| That number represents a new campaign record for a single-hour fundraising total and could help Biden build more of a cash advantage against Trump. | That number represents a new campaign record for a single-hour fundraising total and could help Biden build more of a cash advantage against Trump. |
| Biden raised a record-shattering $364.5m last month, out-raising Trump by more than $150m. | Biden raised a record-shattering $364.5m last month, out-raising Trump by more than $150m. |
| Progressives have denounced Donald Trump’s comments on the Proud Boys. | Progressives have denounced Donald Trump’s comments on the Proud Boys. |
| “Donald Trump is a white supremacist,” wrote the New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “People have been warning about this for a long time. They were ridiculed, called hyperbolic & radical - not bc they were wrong, but bc others couldn’t accept that our country elected a supremacist as President.” | “Donald Trump is a white supremacist,” wrote the New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “People have been warning about this for a long time. They were ridiculed, called hyperbolic & radical - not bc they were wrong, but bc others couldn’t accept that our country elected a supremacist as President.” |
| Rashida Tlaib, of Michigan, echoed: “An important reminder that while racism is being debated, Donald Trump, a white supremacist, just told them to stand by. This again shows he is dangerous.” | Rashida Tlaib, of Michigan, echoed: “An important reminder that while racism is being debated, Donald Trump, a white supremacist, just told them to stand by. This again shows he is dangerous.” |
| Belén Sisa, the former Latino press secretary for Bernie Sanders, said: “When someone shows you who they really are believe them.” | Belén Sisa, the former Latino press secretary for Bernie Sanders, said: “When someone shows you who they really are believe them.” |
| – Maanvi Singh | – Maanvi Singh |
| Biden’s digital director said the campaign had its best online fundraising hour between 10 and 11pm, as the first presidential debate concluded. | Biden’s digital director said the campaign had its best online fundraising hour between 10 and 11pm, as the first presidential debate concluded. |
| Most voters didn’t crowd into bars, gathering around drinks and friends to view debates, as they did during debates past. Instead, they experienced it the way we are experiencing most things these days: over Zoom. | Most voters didn’t crowd into bars, gathering around drinks and friends to view debates, as they did during debates past. Instead, they experienced it the way we are experiencing most things these days: over Zoom. |
| Cambria Minott, a who lives in San Francisco, tuned into the livestream party of one of Manny’s. In the past, she has watched other political events there including the Super Tuesday. | Cambria Minott, a who lives in San Francisco, tuned into the livestream party of one of Manny’s. In the past, she has watched other political events there including the Super Tuesday. |
| “I miss watching with friends, but seeing Manny in his wig, reacting to Trump’s comments, is honestly one of the few things keeping me going tonight,” she said. “Manny’s creates platforms for shared experiences in our community that make all of this bearable.” | “I miss watching with friends, but seeing Manny in his wig, reacting to Trump’s comments, is honestly one of the few things keeping me going tonight,” she said. “Manny’s creates platforms for shared experiences in our community that make all of this bearable.” |
| Manny Yekutiel, the founder of Manny’s, led the discussion wearing a wig and gown. “I’m Lady Liberty!” Yekutiel exclaimed before starting the streaming event. More than 100 people tuned into the Zoom stream, and could be seen in their respective homes, cooking food, eating or just watching the show. | Manny Yekutiel, the founder of Manny’s, led the discussion wearing a wig and gown. “I’m Lady Liberty!” Yekutiel exclaimed before starting the streaming event. More than 100 people tuned into the Zoom stream, and could be seen in their respective homes, cooking food, eating or just watching the show. |
| Laura Sander, who also watched the debate though Manny’s stream, said it’s clear online viewing will never be the same as in-person – but that it still has a lot to offer. | Laura Sander, who also watched the debate though Manny’s stream, said it’s clear online viewing will never be the same as in-person – but that it still has a lot to offer. |
| “In person is great because you feel off each other and can talk in the moment,” Sander said. But I would be in a dark hole if I didn’t have the sense of Manny’s community tonight.” | “In person is great because you feel off each other and can talk in the moment,” Sander said. But I would be in a dark hole if I didn’t have the sense of Manny’s community tonight.” |
| Mills College, a liberal arts college for women in Oakland, California, also held an online event. Martha Johnson, chair of the public policy and political science department at the school, helped organize the event. She said the school felt it was particularly important to put on the event as students remain apart due to the coronavirus pandemic. She said they had a similar level of attendance – about 25 people – as they have in in-person events in the past. | Mills College, a liberal arts college for women in Oakland, California, also held an online event. Martha Johnson, chair of the public policy and political science department at the school, helped organize the event. She said the school felt it was particularly important to put on the event as students remain apart due to the coronavirus pandemic. She said they had a similar level of attendance – about 25 people – as they have in in-person events in the past. |
| “Our department was eager to create community when we are all so far apart,” she said. | “Our department was eager to create community when we are all so far apart,” she said. |
| Attendees chatted about the candidates’ stances and answers in the group’s chat room. | Attendees chatted about the candidates’ stances and answers in the group’s chat room. |
| Fact check: jobs | Fact check: jobs |
| Joe Biden said Trump is the first president “in American history” to lose jobs. | Joe Biden said Trump is the first president “in American history” to lose jobs. |
| That’s not quite accurate. Herbert Hoover oversaw a country with massive job losses as the Great Depression took hold. Hoover lost the 1932 election to Franklin Roosevelt. But official jobs records only began in 1939, though, and Trump – if he loses the election this year – would probably be the first since then to leave the US with fewer jobs than when his term began. | That’s not quite accurate. Herbert Hoover oversaw a country with massive job losses as the Great Depression took hold. Hoover lost the 1932 election to Franklin Roosevelt. But official jobs records only began in 1939, though, and Trump – if he loses the election this year – would probably be the first since then to leave the US with fewer jobs than when his term began. |
| – Maanvi Singh | – Maanvi Singh |
| Fact check: Biden calling soldiers “stupid bastards” | Fact check: Biden calling soldiers “stupid bastards” |
| Trump said Biden called soldiers “stupid bastards”. This is true – but it was a joke. During a 2016 speech in Abu Dhabi, Biden addressed troops and told them: “Notwithstanding what you may hear about me, I have incredibly good judgment. One, I married Jill. And two, I appointed Johnson to the Academy, I just want you to know that.” | Trump said Biden called soldiers “stupid bastards”. This is true – but it was a joke. During a 2016 speech in Abu Dhabi, Biden addressed troops and told them: “Notwithstanding what you may hear about me, I have incredibly good judgment. One, I married Jill. And two, I appointed Johnson to the Academy, I just want you to know that.” |
| He was referring to Lt Karen Johnson, of Wilmington, Delaware. After a pause, Biden said: “Clap for that, you stupid bastards.” | He was referring to Lt Karen Johnson, of Wilmington, Delaware. After a pause, Biden said: “Clap for that, you stupid bastards.” |
| The former vice-president also praised the troops, saying that Americans “appreciate, but they don’t fully understand the incredible sacrifices you make for our country”, Biden added. He thanked the soldiers and their families. | The former vice-president also praised the troops, saying that Americans “appreciate, but they don’t fully understand the incredible sacrifices you make for our country”, Biden added. He thanked the soldiers and their families. |
| – Maanvi Singh | – Maanvi Singh |
| Biden retweeted a picture of members of the far-right group Proud Boys celebrating Trump’s remarks tonight, saying: “This. This is Donald Trump’s America.” | Biden retweeted a picture of members of the far-right group Proud Boys celebrating Trump’s remarks tonight, saying: “This. This is Donald Trump’s America.” |
| During tonight’s debate, Trump was asked to denounce white supremacist violence, weeks after two anti-racist protesters were shot and killed in Kenosha, Wisconsin. | During tonight’s debate, Trump was asked to denounce white supremacist violence, weeks after two anti-racist protesters were shot and killed in Kenosha, Wisconsin. |
| Instead, Trump told the far-right group Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by”. | Instead, Trump told the far-right group Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by”. |
| Members of the Proud Boys immediately celebrated the remark, saying they were “so happy” that Trump “basically said to go fuck them up”. | Members of the Proud Boys immediately celebrated the remark, saying they were “so happy” that Trump “basically said to go fuck them up”. |
| The group also posted a picture of their logo with Trump’s “stand back and stand by” comment to social media. | The group also posted a picture of their logo with Trump’s “stand back and stand by” comment to social media. |
| Trump has at least one positive review tonight – from the Republican National Committee (RNC). | Trump has at least one positive review tonight – from the Republican National Committee (RNC). |
| The RNC chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel, said in a statement: “For 90 minutes, President Trump made a confident, commanding and compelling case for his re-election while taking Joe Biden to task for supporting radical policies that would raise taxes, destroy jobs and make our communities less safe.” | The RNC chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel, said in a statement: “For 90 minutes, President Trump made a confident, commanding and compelling case for his re-election while taking Joe Biden to task for supporting radical policies that would raise taxes, destroy jobs and make our communities less safe.” |
| But even other Republicans who generally offer Trump praise, such as Chris Christie and Rick Santorum, said the president overplayed his hand tonight. | But even other Republicans who generally offer Trump praise, such as Chris Christie and Rick Santorum, said the president overplayed his hand tonight. |
| More generally, many commentators have described the debate as a disgrace and primarily blamed Trump for the chaos of the night. | More generally, many commentators have described the debate as a disgrace and primarily blamed Trump for the chaos of the night. |
| Fact check: voting | Fact check: voting |
| Donald Trump made a number of false and misleading statements about voting. He implied fraud, as he as done before, in the New York primaries. In the congressional primary, Representative Carolyn Maloney was declared a winner after six weeks. But the delays came because officials were unprepared to count so many mail-in ballots, and it took a while to process. He also said 30% and 40% of ballots are “lost”. That is just not true. | Donald Trump made a number of false and misleading statements about voting. He implied fraud, as he as done before, in the New York primaries. In the congressional primary, Representative Carolyn Maloney was declared a winner after six weeks. But the delays came because officials were unprepared to count so many mail-in ballots, and it took a while to process. He also said 30% and 40% of ballots are “lost”. That is just not true. |
| The president often peddles misinformation about mail-in voting. Here’s my colleague Sam Levin’s in-depth explanation of how absentee voting works, and whether it’s prone to fraud: | The president often peddles misinformation about mail-in voting. Here’s my colleague Sam Levin’s in-depth explanation of how absentee voting works, and whether it’s prone to fraud: |
| – Maanvi Singh | – Maanvi Singh |
| Other seasoned political commentators offered similarly grim analyses of tonight’s debate. | Other seasoned political commentators offered similarly grim analyses of tonight’s debate. |
| George Stephanopoulos of ABC News described the event as “the worst presidential debate I’ve ever seen in my life”. | George Stephanopoulos of ABC News described the event as “the worst presidential debate I’ve ever seen in my life”. |
| MSNBC anchor Andrea Mitchell said the debate was “a disgrace”. | MSNBC anchor Andrea Mitchell said the debate was “a disgrace”. |
| CNN commentator Van Jones said: “They say this was a circus. Circus workers reached out to my team. They say, actually, we take offense.” | CNN commentator Van Jones said: “They say this was a circus. Circus workers reached out to my team. They say, actually, we take offense.” |
| The first presidential debate concluded moments ago, and commentators are already describing the debate as a “dumpster fire” as a “shitshow”. | The first presidential debate concluded moments ago, and commentators are already describing the debate as a “dumpster fire” as a “shitshow”. |
| “That was a hot mess, inside a dumpster fire, inside a train wreck,” CNN anchor Jake Tapper said. “That was the worst debate I have ever seen. It wasn’t even a debate. It was a disgrace. And it’s primarily because of President Trump.” | “That was a hot mess, inside a dumpster fire, inside a train wreck,” CNN anchor Jake Tapper said. “That was the worst debate I have ever seen. It wasn’t even a debate. It was a disgrace. And it’s primarily because of President Trump.” |
| CNN correspondent Dana Bash put it even more succinctly: “That was a shitshow.” | CNN correspondent Dana Bash put it even more succinctly: “That was a shitshow.” |
| Meanwhile, over on Twitter: Hillary Clinton has provided a moment of insight into her frustration during the 2016 debates. She was replying to Guardian US contributor Jill Filipovic, who speculated how Clinton must feel about Biden hitting back at Trump: | Meanwhile, over on Twitter: Hillary Clinton has provided a moment of insight into her frustration during the 2016 debates. She was replying to Guardian US contributor Jill Filipovic, who speculated how Clinton must feel about Biden hitting back at Trump: |