1st presidential debate between Trump and Biden spirals into chaotic clash
Highlights from the first presidential debate held in Cleveland.
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.
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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."
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.
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.
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
Martha Raddatz only journalist to moderate debates with both Biden, Trump
ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Raddatz said Trump is combative when he debates, saying "dealing with Donald Trump is more like being a lion tamer than a debate moderator. You really have to keep him on time. He'll go after the moderator."
Biden, Raddatz said, often uses humor when he debates.
Trump skirts around disavowing white supremacists
Asked if he would be willing to denounce white supremacists, Trump said he would be willing but skirted around making the statement.
"Sure. I'm willing to do anything. I want to see peace," Trump said. "What do you want to call them? Give me a name, give me a name."
"Proud Boys, stand down and stand by, but I tell you what. Somebody has got to do something about antifa and the left because this is not a right-wing problem. This is a left-wing problem," Trump added.
"Antifa is an idea, not an organization," Biden said, quoting Trump's FBI director.