Published 12:45 IST, September 30th 2020
US Presidential Debate 2020: From knockout jibes to spar over family; 5 key moments
The first Presidential debate between the United States President Donald Trump and Democratic Presidential hopeful Former VP Joe Biden took place on Tuesday
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presidential debate between US President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential minee Joe Biden took place on September 29 at Cleveland, Ohio. 90-minute debate saw both candidate angrily interrupting each or, wher on coronavirus pandemic, Supreme Court, ecomy or anything else, including each or’s families. two candidates traded barbs about almost every topic and y even made references to each’s job performance.
debate began with moderator Chris Wallace explaining ground rules and introducing candidates, following which he put forth first question about Supreme Court minee Any Coney Barrett. Minutes into debate, Biden snapped at Trump and said: “Will you shut up, man?”. “You’re worst president America has ever had,” he added. At one point even Wallace raised his voice and said, “I hate to raise my voice, but why shouldn’t I be different that two of you?”
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Here are some key moments from first debate
Long-awaited clash between Trump and Biden
Things got rolling during a discussion about Supreme Court that veered into a debate over health care, with candidates repeatedly talking over each or. While Trump challenged questions by moderator, Biden, on or hand, flashed a smile and laughed at some of president’s responses. two leaders started sparring, first over Barrett’s record but quickly moving on to ar territory.
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Trump spars with Wallace
As moderator Chris Wallace asked second question of night, Trump jumped in to push back on anchor. Wallace began asking about health care and soon after Trump interrupted Wallace to dispute his line of questioning about having t introduced a comprehensive plan to replace Affordable Care Act implemented by former US President Barack Obama. With Trump repeatedly interrupting, Wallace asked president to let him finish.
After a few moments, Trump n said, “I guess I’m debating you, t him,” referring to Biden.
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Biden criticises Trump’s handling of coronavirus
Democratic presidential minee swiped at Republican leader over early handling of coronavirus. Biden alleged that administration started to inform public of disease’s severity only when it hit stock market.
Biden asked, “Do you believe for a moment what he’s telling you in light of all lies he’s told you about whole issue relating to Covid?”
“He still hasn’t even ackwledged that he knew this was happening — knew how dangerous it would be back in February — and he didn’t even tell you. He panicked, or just looked at stock market, one of two. Because guess what? A lot of people died and a lot more are going to die unless he gets a lot smarter or a lot quicker,” he added.
Trump and Biden spar over ir children
two leaders sparred over ir children, with Trump launching a misleading attack on Biden’s son Hunter over his consulting business. Trump said, “China ate your lunch, Joe. wonder, your son goes in and he takes out billions of dollars. takes out billions of dollars to man. He makes millions of dollar”. He continued and added, “Why is it, just out of curiosity, mayor of Moscow’s wife gave your son $3.5 million?”
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While Biden kept on denying claims, he at one point snapped and said, “Here’s deal, You want to talk about families and ethics? I don’t want to do that. His family, we can talk about all night”. He added, “This is t about my family. It’s t about your family. It’s about American people”.
While Wallace tried to change topic, Trump, in end, said, “Hunter got thrown out of military”.
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Trump refuses to condemn white supremacists
Trump refused to condemn white supremacists and instead told hate group ‘proud boys’ to ‘stand back and stand by’. When Wallace asked Republican leader if he was willing to deunce ‘white supremacists and militia groups’ that have been active at rallies against police violence, Trump initially tried to deflect question by blaming ‘left-wing’ for violence and added that he was ‘willing to do anything’.
When pressed by both Wallace and Biden, Trump replied saying, “I’m willing to do anything. I want to see peace”. Wallace and Biden n added, “Do it, say it”. Republican leader n said, "What do you want to call m? Give me a name,” promoting Biden to mention ‘Proud Boys’.
Trump n said, “Proud Boys? Stand back, and stand by. But I’ll tell you what, I’ll tell you what, somebody’s got to do something about Antifa and left”.
Trump-Biden debate jibes
From calling Trump 'worst president' to calling each or 'liar', two leaders also repeatedly criticised each or. While Biden told Trump to 'shut up', Trump attacked his rival for wanting to shut down country to deal with pandemic and said states should reopen. Democratic leader also called US President a 'clown' and a 'racist' and furr said that 'he's Putin's puppet'.
In response, Trump brought up Biden’s son Hunter, whose business dealings in China and Ukraine have been focus of Republican criticism this election season. Trump mentioned a finding from a recent Senate Republican investigation saying that Mayor of Moscow City gave Hunter Biden around half a million dollars and asked his opponent to explain what was money for.
12:46 IST, September 30th 2020