PRESIDENT DONALD Trump and challenger Joe Biden engaged in a fierce and, at times, unsavoury TV debate last night.
Shouting, name calling, and personal attacks were all par for the course during the uncomfortable 90-minute forum in Cleveland, Ohio.
While it’s unlikely to have swayed opinion one way or the other, the debate did at least provide some jaw-dropping moments with both candidates trading the kind of insults more commonly found on a school playground rather than a political forum.
Here are 10 of the most memorable.
10. Shut up
During a discussion about the Supreme Court, Biden told Trump: Would you shut up, man? This is so unpresidential” after he repeatedly interrupted him.
9. Not Smart
Hitting back at Biden’s criticism of his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and, specifically that Trump should have been “smarter” the President said:"You graduated either the lowest or almost the lowest in your class.”
“Don't ever use the word smart with me. Don't ever use that word."
8. A Liar
Biden used to debate to cast doubt on many of Trump’s claims while in office. “Everything he's saying so far is simply a lie,” he said.
“I'm not here to call out his lies. Everybody knows he's a liar.”
7. Biden’s son
After Biden spoke about his dead son Beau’s decorated service in Iraq, Trump shifted the subject onto the Democrat candidate’s other son, Hunter. “I didn't know Beau. I know Hunter. He was thrown out, dishonourably discharged for cocaine use.
“That's not true.” Biden responded who said Hunter got an “administrative discharge.”
6. A Clown
At one point, Biden corrected himself after referring to his rival as a “clown”.
'It's hard to get any word in with this clown – excuse me, this person,” he said.
5. China ate your lunch, Joe
Biden went on the attack against President Trump’s handling of relations with China – but Trump was having none of it.
"You take a look at what he's actually done, he's done very little," Biden said.
"His trade deals are the same way. He talks about these great trade deals. You know, he talks about The Art of the Deal, China has perfected the art of the steal. We have a higher deficit with China now than we did before."
The President responded: "China ate your lunch, Joe."
Biden: ‘It’s hard to get any word in with this clown’
End this debate. It's completely pointless.
Trump refuses to answer questions and just screams over everyone, argues with the moderator, lies every time he opens his mouth.#Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/LBjBwYNe6U— Holly Figueroa O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) September 30, 2020
4. Inject bleach
On the topic of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Biden quipped “And by the way maybe inject some bleach into your arm, that'll take care of it.”
A pointed reference to the President’s previous claim that ingesting bleach could help tackle the virus, Trump hit back, claiming the comments were “sarcastic”.
3. Putin’s puppy
Biden attempted to highlight Trump’s subservient relationship to Russian President Vladimir Putin, referring to him as “Putin’s puppy”.
The remark has been the source of some debate, with some questioning whether Biden meant to actually say “Putin’s puppet”.
2. 47 years vs 47 months
Trump also sought to undermine Biden’s experience. “I’ve done more (in his 47 months in office) than you’ve done in 47 years, Joe.”
MOMENT
Biden: “You’re the worst president America has ever had, come on.
Trump: “I’ve done more in 47 months than you’ve done in 47 years, Joe.” https://t.co/NIYsIbTxhw#Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/eyzUUaUpM1— Dan Linden (@DanLinden) September 30, 2020
1. Worst President ever
Arguably Biden’s strongest and most brutal line was short and not particularly sweet:
“You’re the worst president America has ever had, come on.”
See More: Donald Trump, Joe Biden, US Presidential Debate
