The first Presidential debate of the November 3rd race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden took place on Tuesday evening at Case Western University in Ohio and by all accounts it was a disaster. Moderated by Fox News host Chris Wallace, the debate devolved instantly into a shouting match, largely due to President Trump trampling over time limits, cutting off both Wallace and Biden repeatedly to insert his points, most of which were lies or exaggerations. Wallace at several points appeared exasperated by the President’s behavior.  The President was so belligerent that even rightwing media outlets said so and even Trump’s debate coach Chris Christie admitted Trump was “too hot.” Republican pollster Frank Luntz said that his focus group felt that Trump played the “aggressor” in the debate and was viewed negatively. Most observers concluded that Biden won the debate. 

Aside from the tone of the debate the most shocking moment of the evening was when Mr. Wallace asked Trump if he would denounce white supremacists and the President essentially refused.  The Proud Boys are a Trump-supporting white nationalist group who show up at social justice protests with weapons to provoke violence. According to one report, Proud Boys members interpreted Trump’s remarks as tacit approval of their tactics. But Trump’s allies attempted to do damage control saying they did not hear the President speak approvingly of the white supremacists. During the debate Trump also urged his supporters to show up at the polls on election day.  A federal consent decree to prevent voter intimidation of the sort that the Republican Party has historically employed against black and brown voters was in place since 1982 but expired two years ago. 

Factcheckers had a field day debunking lies during the debate, nearly all of which emerged from Trump’s mouth. Among the many deceptions he peddled were a claim that the Sheriff in Portland, Oregon endorsed him, prompting Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese to announce unequivocally, “I have never supported Donald Trump and will never support him.” Trump also claimed that he had ensured the price of insulin is, “so cheap it’s like water.