1st presidential debate between Trump and Biden spirals into chaotic clash

Highlights from the first presidential debate held in Cleveland.

ByLibby Cathey, Lauren Lantry, and Matt Zarrell
Last Updated: January 6, 2022, 3:01 PM EST

President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee for president Joe Biden faced off from a social distance in the first presidential debate of 2020 in Cleveland, just five weeks out from Election Day.

The first presidential debate at Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic came on the heels of bombshell reporting from The New York Times on two decades of Trump's tax records, ahead of a contentious Supreme Court confirmation process in the Senate and as the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll shows Biden maintains a 10-point edge among both registered and likely voters.

The coronavirus pandemic's impact on the race was also on display as the two candidates didn't partake in a handshake, customary at the top of such events. The size of the audience was also limited and everyone attending the debate had to undergo COVID-19 testing and follow other public health protocols.

The debate’s moderator, Chris Wallace of "Fox News Sunday," selected six topics for Tuesday with each segment expected to get approximately 15 minutes: Trump's and Biden's records, the Supreme Court, COVID-19, the economy, race and violence in U.S. cities, and the integrity of the election -- the final topic coming as Trump over the weekend wouldn’t commit to a peaceful transfer of power.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the debate unfolded. All times Eastern.
Sep 29, 2020, 8:58 PM EDT

Biden aide fires back at Trump Jr.’s personal attacks 

Biden deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield fired back at Donald Trump Jr. -- who did an interview with ABC News ahead of her -- saying the president's son continues to deliver personal attacks on the vice president instead of making the case for why Trump should be reelected.

"I was listening to Don Jr. and I didn't hear a whole lot of reasons to vote for Donald Trump," Bedingfield said. "I heard a lot of attacks. I heard a lot of personal criticisms of Joe Biden's son. I didn't hear a whole lot of reason -- if I'm a voter sitting tonight, listening to this debate -- I didn't hear a lot of reasons to vote for Donald Trump."

Bedingfield said Biden will offer a different choice for voters of a leader focused on the issues, not on attacks, and she said success for the evening will be defined by Biden's ability to connect with "families at their kitchen table."

"He's going to be laying out a concrete vision to make life better for people across this country and I think that the clear contrast between somebody who views the world through the lens of having grown up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, versus somebody who views the world through the lens of Park Avenue is going to be very apparent on the stage tonight," she added.

PHOTO: Broadcast journalists stand inside a tent outside Case Western Reserve University ahead of the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate former Vice President Joe Biden, Sept. 29, 2020, in Cleveland.
Broadcast journalists stand inside a tent outside Case Western Reserve University ahead of the first presidential debate between Republican candidate President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate former Vice President Joe Biden, Sept. 29, 2020, in Cleveland.
Julio Cortez/AP

Sep 29, 2020, 8:53 PM EDT

Trump Jr. defends his father’s tax record by attacking Biden

Donald Trump Jr., who is a part of his father's re-election campaign, pointed to some of his father's accomplishments -- a great economy before COVID-19 and getting closer to achieving peace in the Middle East -- before moving onto his father's opponent.

When pressed by ABC News Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos about his father's tax record and debt, which was first reported by the New York Times, Trump Jr. went on the attack.

"If people have a problem with the tax code, talk to Joe Biden," Trump Jr. said. "He's the guy that's been legislating these things or 47 years."

Sep 29, 2020, 8:37 PM EDT

Protesters gather outside the debate hall 

Outside the debate site in Cleveland on Tuesday, protesters were seen wearing costumes -- appearing to criticize Trump's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett -- and holding signs in support of Black Lives Matter. 

Protestors demonstrate near the venue of the first 2020 presidential campaign debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in Cleveland, Sept. 29, 2020.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

One photographer captured a Trump supporter in a red "Make America Great Again" hat and a counter protester in a shirt reading "racism is a public health issue" arguing ahead of the debate. 

A Trump supporter and a protester argue near the debate hall, Sept. 29, 2020, in Cleveland, where the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden is to be held.
Tony Dejak/AP

Sep 29, 2020, 8:35 PM EDT

Harris watching the debate from Howard University

Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris will be watching the debate from Howard University with her husband Doug Emhoff and members of her staff, according to an aide. Harris earned bachelor's degrees in political science and economics at the university in Washington, D.C.

--ABC News’ Averi Harper