Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

‘I guess I'm debating you': Trump rages against moderator minutes into Biden debate

President begins first-ever debate with Joe Biden with interruptions and cross-talk

Alex Woodward
New York
Tuesday 29 September 2020 22:11 EDT
Comments
Trump clashes with moderator minutes into Biden debate: 'I guess I'm debating you now'

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Donald Trump has interrupted his rival Joe Biden throughout the first moments of their first presidential debate while talking over moderator Chris Wallace, as he struggled to ask  a question on healthcare.

"I guess I'm debating you, not him," the president said to Mr Wallace, referencing his opponent.

The candidates’ first segment, covering the future of the US Supreme Court, tackled the president’s nominee Amy Coney Barrett, who the former vice president has argued poses a threat to the Affordable Care Act and coverage for people with preexisting conditions.

As Mr Wallace began asking a second question within the first 15-minute segment, the president continued to talk over Mr Biden.

“Please allow me ask the questions, I’m the moderator of this debate,” Mr Wallace said. "Sir, you're debating him, not me."

Mr Biden pressed the president on his failure to “repeal and replace" the ACA without a measure that would ensure continuity of coverage for millions of Americans, other than largely symbolic executive orders that don’t carry the authority of legislation passed by Congress.

The president attacked Mr Biden for his work with progressive Senator Bernie Sanders, whose signature Medicare for All – which would replace private health coverage – is not a part of the Mr Biden’s platform; he instead has included a public option as part of an expanded ACA with private insurance.

“Of course I have,” the president said after he was accused of not having a plan for coverage following the repeal of the ACA, which his administration has sought at the Supreme Court.

The administration removed the tax penalty for the individual mandate.

Following the close of the segment, after continued cross-talk and interruptions from the president, Mr Biden said with a smirk: “That was really a productive segment."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in