The first of three highly anticipated presidential debates between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden begins on Tuesday night, but the two candidates' campaigns are laying down the gauntlet before the stage is even set.
Similar to his 2016 claims about Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton during that campaign, Trump is baselessly accusing Biden of taking performance enhancing drugs.
Trump publicly called for a drug test of both candidates ahead of the debate.
I will be strongly demanding a Drug Test of Sleepy Joe Biden prior to, or after, the Debate on Tuesday night. Naturally, I will agree to take one also. His Debate performances have been record setting UNEVEN, to put it mildly. Only drugs could have caused this discrepancy???
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 27, 2020
In the past, Trump has used Biden's improved debate performances in the later stages of the Democratic primary to claim that this improvement was due to drugs.
Biden himself was asked about the demand, but—through laughter—declined to comment.
When asked to respond to Trump's demands for Biden to take a drug test, Biden's campaign minced no words.
Kate Bedingfield, Biden's deputy campaign manager, said:
"Vice President Biden intends to deliver his debate answers in words. If the president thinks his best case is made in urine he can have at it. We'd expect nothing less from Donald Trump, who pissed away the chance to protect the lives of 200K Americans when he didn't make a plan to stop [the virus]."
People applauded the no holds barred response.
This is how to land a punch.
Bravo. https://t.co/Hl1N9dvcIv
— Lincoln's Bible (@LincolnsBible) September 28, 2020
911? I'd like to report a slaughter. https://t.co/oarYncMJXa
— Boarding Soon (@boardingsoon) September 28, 2020
This is fantastic. https://t.co/mFjKqRAWep
— Miles Kahn (@mileskahn) September 28, 2020
Not only does Biden backhand Trump for his stupid drug test demand...
...he sort of launches a thousand new pee tape jokes.
This is strong. https://t.co/Gp79rson6y
— Steve Marmel (@Marmel) September 28, 2020
Maybe the greatest clap back in Twitter history. https://t.co/plhWWjGm4u
— Michael Greyeyes (@MichaelGreyeyes) September 28, 2020
This is the energy we're looking for Tuesday night. https://t.co/wA3pryBO9P
— Jason Shellen (@shellen) September 28, 2020
Meanwhile, Trump's calls for a drug test largely backfired, with some of his critics accusing him of projection.
Given that your basic m.o. is to accuse other people of whatever it is that you're doing, this makes me wonder...
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) September 27, 2020
This sounds like it was sent by someone on drugs.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) September 27, 2020
remember, kids, every accusation is actually a confession
— Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) September 27, 2020
The first presidential debate will air Tuesday night at 9 pm on every major news channel.
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