Donald Trump and Joe Biden clash over Antifa, white supremacists

The chaotic debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden saw a tense exchange, with one question the President wouldn’t answer.

The chaotic debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden saw a tense exchange over left-wing and right-wing violence, with the Democratic candidate challenging the President to condemn white supremacists and militia groups.

Fox News moderator Chris Wallace, repeatedly having to yell over the candidates and particularly at Mr Trump, noted that the President had repeatedly criticised Mr Biden “for not specifically calling out Antifa and other left-wing extremist groups”.

“But are you willing tonight to condemn white supremacist and militia groups?” Wallace asked.

“Sure,” Mr Trump said.

“And to say that they need to stand down and not add to the violence in a number of these cities, as we saw in Kenosha and as we’ve seen in Portland?” Wallace said.

“Sure, I’m willing to do that,” Mr Trump said.

“Go ahead, sir,” Wallace said.

But Mr Trump changed the subject, saying “I would say almost everything I see is from the left-wing, not from the right-wing”.

Mr Biden demanded, “Say it. Do it. Say it.”

Ignoring his Democratic rival, Mr Trump said to Wallace, “What do you want me to call them? Give me a name? Who do you want me to condemn?”

Mr Biden cut in, “White supremacists. Proud Boys.”

“Proud Boys,” Mr Trump replied. “Stand back and stand by.”

Mr Trump again vacillated. “But I’ll tell you what, somebody’s got to do something about Antifa and the left, because this is not a right-wing problem,” he said.

Mr Biden brought up FBI director Christopher Wray’s testimony to Congress last week where he appeared to play down the threat of Antifa, instead pointing the finger at white supremacist groups.

“Antifa is an idea, not an organisation – that’s what his FBI director said,” Mr Biden said.

“You know what? He’s wrong,” Mr Trump said. “Antifa is a dangerous, radical group. Be careful with them. They’ll overthrow you.”

The pair also argued over law and order, with Mr Trump challenging Mr Biden to “name one law enforcement group that supports you – we have time”.

“We don’t have time,” Mr Biden said.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks. Picture: Olivier Douliery/AFP

Earlier in the debate, Mr Trump lashed out at Mr Biden’s intelligence, telling his rival “there’s nothing smart about you”.

The Democratic candidate was discussing the President’s COVID-19 response, saying “a lot of people died and a lot more are going to die unless he gets a lot smarter”.

“Did you use the word ‘smart?’” Mr Trump said.

“You graduated either the lowest or the next lowest in your class, don’t ever use the word ‘smart’ with me. There’s nothing smart about you, Joe.”

Mr Trump mocked Mr Biden for mistakenly claiming he “got started” at a historically black college. “Oh, give me a break,” Mr Biden said.

Tuesday night’s first debate of the 2020 presidential election was arguably the most anticipated political head-to-head in modern history.

With just 35 days to go until the election, Mr Biden is currently beating the incumbent in national polls, although his lead in several key battleground states has narrowed in recent weeks.

The leaders sparred over the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout, rising racial tensions and street violence, and the shock Supreme Court nomination battle following the death of left-wing icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg this month.

Mr Trump also faced questions about his leaked tax returns published by The New York Times last week that showed he engaged in legal, but extensive tax avoidance.

The US President, meanwhile, attacked his Democratic rival about his record after 47 years in Washington and allegedly corrupt business dealings of his son Hunter Biden in Ukraine, Russia and China.

Prior to the debate, the Trump campaign had again stepped up attacks on Mr Biden’s mental fitness, after appearing to back away from the issue amid concerns among Republicans that the tactic could backfire.

By setting the bar too low, Republicans feared, even a competent performance by the 78-year-old with no major gaffes or meltdowns would be widely viewed as a win.

But the Trump campaign, which has made much of Mr Biden’s apparent use of teleprompters during interviews, reportedly requested that a third party be allowed to inspect the ears of each debater for electronic devices or transmitters.

Fox News anchor and moderator Chris Wallace. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty/AFP

The Biden camp declined the ear check, Trump campaign sources told Fox News. They also said Mr Biden’s campaign had in recent weeks requested two breaks during the 90-minute, commercial-free program, a request in turn declined by the Trump camp.

It comes after Mr Trump demanded Mr Biden take a drug test prior to the debate, insinuating he was senile and would take something to enhance his mental acuity – a suggestion laughed off by the Democrat.

But Mr Biden, who has been known to lose his temper when prodded, had acknowledged keeping his cool would be essential. “I hope I don’t get baited into a brawl with this guy, because that’s the only place he’s comfortable,” he told supporters.

Biden deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield denied they had requested breaks and called the earpiece check “absurd”. “His staff seems concerned that he may not do well tonight and they’re already laying the groundwork for how they’re going to lie about why,” she told reporters. “It is completely absurd. Of course, he’s not wearing an earpiece and we never asked for breaks.”

Ms Bedingfield hit back that the Trump team had requested that Wallace not mention the number of COVID-19 deaths – which last week passed the grim 200,000 milestone – during the debate.

Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh told Fox News “this is a lie and it never happened”. “This is the height of playing politics with a public health crisis,” he said. “Biden is trying to distract from the facts that he won’t submit to an inspection for earpieces, won’t take a drug test, and needs multiple breaks during the 90-minute debate.”

Mr Trump, for his part, shifted between tearing down his opponent’s mental fitness to attempting to lower expectations by painting himself as the underdog against the career politician who actually has the advantage.

If the Democrat prevails, “I will have lost to the worst presidential candidate in the history of politics”, he told a crowd of supporters last week.

The debate, which was held in an atrium at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio, kicked off at 7pm on Tuesday – 11am Sydney time.

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– with AFP