Tuesday night's highly anticipated first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden left Americans across the country disgusted at the level to which political discourse has sunk after four years of the Trump administration.
The President repeatedly interrupted both Biden and moderator Chris Wallace, and despite multiple reprimands, his apparent inability to contain his outburst continued to throw the debate into disarray, hindering any chance at a comprehensive presentation of each candidate's plans for the country.
Trump's behavior during the debate looks even worse contrasted with a Trump campaign heaping praise upon the President's performance.
The email was sent out hours before the debate even started.
Hours before the debate, a Trump camp email goes out: "I just finished debating Joe Biden." pic.twitter.com/4OHQLmLDv9
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) September 29, 2020
With the subject line "I just finished debating Joe Biden," the email reads in part:
"This debate will go down in history. I showed the American People that I will ALWAYS fight to put America First no matter what and that I will NEVER stop working to Make America Great Again."
It went on to slam the media and the President's opponent, before criticizing its own potential donor, describing the President as "really disappointed to see that you chose not to step up" and make a donation.
The email and the time of its release received widespread mockery.
maybe someone does need a drug test https://t.co/yigmR9EY04
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) September 29, 2020
A well-oiled machine. https://t.co/JYYc37Bs2L
— Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) September 29, 2020
Must've had the time zone in Mailchimp set to Moscow time. Classic mistake. https://t.co/N1k1ur17zq
— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) September 29, 2020
More Trump incompetence. https://t.co/TpVsUS2mbG
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) September 29, 2020
jared totally hit send on this email 😹https://t.co/JSt8fsDMBz
— darth™ (@darth) September 29, 2020
How very authoritarian. The result is known before the event. 🤔 https://t.co/7p2iCH3PDB
— Ruth Ben-Ghiat (@ruthbenghiat) September 29, 2020
The preemptive praise for Trump's debate performance wasn't shared once the debate actually occurred.
Trump's stooges will lie to him and tell him he won. His cult may be ecstatic as they celebrate his unhinged behavior, lying, lack of control and facial contortions. His Presidency is over. We will vote him out. He is crazy, paranoid and unfit. Trump is incoherent. He is a liar
— Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) September 30, 2020
Trump needed to make one last, desperate stand for these winnable voters at last night's debate. He needed to be on his best behavior for just a couple hours...Instead, he gave them reason to turn off the television and tune out his campaign." https://t.co/3P52coWXId
— Sarah Longwell (@SarahLongwell25) September 30, 2020
Trump isn't capable of exhibiting behavior that is expected of pre-school aged children. It's absolutely disgraceful.
— Phil Arballo (@PhilArballo2020) September 30, 2020
The next debate is scheduled for October 15.