Updated: September 30, 2020 4:50:03 pm
United States President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden participate in their first debate of the 2020 presidential campaign that was held on the Cleveland Clinic campus at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio , United States, on September 29, 2020. (Reuters)
With weeks to go before the US presidential election, President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden clashed in what is widely touted as one of the worst presidential debates in history by social media users, politicians, and political commentators alike.
The chaotic 90-minute event was marked by constant interruptions, disputes between the two candidates and desperate pleas from Fox News host Chris Wallace, moderator of the debate, for decorum. Irritated by Trump’s repeated interjections, Biden visibly irritated at one point replied: “Do you want to shut up, man?”
As the debate progressed, reactions from top legislators and electoral experts began to reach social media.
These are some of the main reactions:
Condemning Trump’s refusal to speak out against white supremacists during the first debate, former Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren painted a grim picture of what she called “Donald Trump’s America,” accusing the US President of fanning the flames of the racism and use state violence against Americans who exercise their rights.
Trump’s Democratic contender in the 2016 election, Hilary Clinton, said the debate reaffirmed her faith in Biden’s skills and experience.
READ | ‘I knew it was going to be bad …’: Memes and jokes that summarized the first presidential debate of the United States
President Donald Trump, left, and former Vice President of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, with Fox News moderator Chris Wallace center, during the first presidential debate Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, at Case Western University and the Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland. Ohio. (AP Photo / Patrick Semansky)
Former Vice President Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris also slammed Trump for his performance during the debate. “Tonight, America was presented with a choice: a leader offering a clear path to follow in the face of an angry and interrupted bully,” Senator Harris tweeted.
We are in the battle for the soul of our nation, and the choice in this election was made very clear during this evening’s debate. Donate now to help @Joe Biden and I will defeat Trump. https://t.co/LPKuo85v56
– Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 30, 2020
Meanwhile, some conservatives, Republican lawmakers and members of the Trump campaign lashed out at debate moderator Chris Wallace, accusing him of being biased against the president of the United States. Several of these posts were retweeted from the official handle of President Trump.
Biden has repeatedly failed to answer legitimate questions that American voters need to know before voting, while Trump takes every interview in the world.
Chris Wallace had the opportunity tonight to give the American voter more information about Biden and failed
– Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) September 30, 2020
If you still can’t understand why the American public doesn’t trust the media … just watch Chris Wallace’s performance again tonight …
– Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) September 30, 2020
Republican politician and businessman Darrell Issa criticized Biden’s views on how the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 205,000 people in the United States, should have been handled.
Tonight, Joe Biden made it clear that if elected, he is prepared to perpetually lock out the American people, shut down the economy again, and make sure schools stay closed. That single statement makes it worth fighting every day from now until November 3.
– Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) September 30, 2020
American political sociologist Larry Diamond called the debate the worst in American history. He accused Trump of not respecting the rules or democracy. “It was repulsive to see this bullying show. An angry and authoritarian president who does not promise to accept the results of the elections ”, read his tweet.
This was the worst presidential debate in American history, another indication that Trump doesn’t play by the rules and has no courtesy or respect for democracy. It was repulsive to see this intimidating spectacle. An angry and authoritarian president who does not promise to accept the results of the elections.
– LarryDiamond (@LarryDiamond) September 30, 2020
CNN anchor John Avlon called the event a “disaster,” largely blaming Trump’s performance in the debate.
Presidential debates are supposed to illuminate, create stark contrasts, and show the strength of our democracy.
That debate was an overwhelming disaster because of President Trump’s performance.
It shows the fundamental lack of respect he has for the democratic process.
– John Avlon (@JohnAvlon) September 30, 2020
Several social media users, including author Stephen King, also called for Trump’s microphone to be turned off when he interrupts Biden.
He cuts his mic when he interrupts.
– Stephen King (@StephenKing) September 30, 2020
free idea: mute mics when they’re not supposed to talk, haven’t we learned anything from Zoom?
– Jen Ortiz (@jenortiznyc) September 30, 2020
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