Donald Trump, Joe Biden square off in first 2020 presidential debate
The first 2020 presidential debate is underway, pitting President Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden against each other for an explosive primetime face-off.
After trading barbs on social-media and at stump stops for months, the candidates are finally facing each other in person on the debate stage at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
The contest, moderated by Fox News’ Chris Wallace, features 15-minute segments on six topics: Racial injustice and protests, the Supreme Court, the economy, election integrity, the candidates’ records and the coronavirus pandemic.
The effects of the latter topic were on display even before the opening bell, as the socially distant candidates took the stage without shaking hands with each other or Wallace, which is a presidential debate tradition.
In-person attendance was strictly capped at less than 100 socially-distanced guests who greeted the candidates with a smattering of applause, in contrast to past debates that have played out in packed auditoriums.
The candidates instead took the stage from opposite ends and stuck to their respective podiums, exchanging warm nods as a breezy Biden asked, “How are you, man?”
Trump responded, “How are you?”
Though the lack of a handshake was a health precaution, the contest also began with palpable bad blood between the opponents.
In recent weeks, Trump, 74, has challenged his opponent to join him in taking a pre-debate drug test, stating without evidence that performance-enhancing substances were behind the former vice president’s uneven showing in the Democratic primary debates.
Biden, 77, has flatly rebuffed that request.
It also emerged hours before the debate that the Trump campaign additionally requested both candidates submit to an examination of their ears by a neutral third-party to ensure they weren’t wearing any devices through which information could be transmitted.
A spokesman for the incumbent’s re-election campaign claimed that Biden’s team initially agreed to the examination, only to renege.
Biden fired back on Twitter shortly before the showdown, writing that he had “my earpiece and performance enhancers ready” — to caption a photo of a pair of earbuds and a container of peanut butter and chocolate ice cream.
On Oct. 7, Mike Pence and California Sen. Kamala Harris will cross swords at the University of Utah in the election cycle’s lone vice presidential debate.
Trump and Biden will next throw down on Oct. 15 in Miami, and meet for a third and final round on Oct. 22 in Nashville.