President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden went after each other the minute 2020’s chaotic first presidential debate started at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Tuesday night. Moderator Chris Wallace, anchor of Fox News Sunday, struggled to keep order as the candidates fought for 90 minutes straight over their records, the timing of Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, the coronavirus pandemic, the economy, race and violence in cities and the integrity of the election.
It didn’t take long for the candidates to begin interrupting and talking over each other, with viewers quickly comparing the event to the infamous fights and finger-pointing that take place on the Real Housewives reality TV franchise, especially during reunion shows.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper did not hold back. “That was a hot mess, inside a dumpster fire, inside a train wreck. That was the worst debate I have ever seen,” he said on the network following the debate. “In fact, it wasn’t even a debate. It was a disgrace.”
Added CNN’s Dana Bash, “I’m just going to say it like it is. That was a shitshow.”
Tuesday’s debate is the first of three, with the next event on Oct. 15 in Miami, and the third and final presidential debate on Oct. 22 in Nashville. A vice presidential debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris is scheduled for Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City.
“Can’t believe there’s two more of these,” wrote comedian and political commentator Bill Maher. “It’s like making a sequel to Cats.”
