Here Are The Best Social Media Reactions to the First Presidential Debate
On Tuesday night, President Trump and Joe Biden met up in Cleveland to (and tonight’s retro-styled, fight night-esque TV presentation made this abundantly clear) do battle. Biden, naturally, prepped with a pint of ice cream and some tunes. President Trump pregamed by tweeting about, what else, corruption at the polls.
The two candidates took the stage at Case Western Reserve University for an event that was projected to see upward of 100 million TV viewers, and only about 100 in-person attendees, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The debate was moderated by Chris Wallace of Fox News, who said in advance of the event that he’d go with a fly-on-the-wall approach, as best he could.
“My job is to be as invisible as possible,” Wallace said. “I'm trying to get them to engage, to focus on the key issues, to give people at home a sense of, ‘why I want to vote for one versus the other.'”
As the first of three televised debates we’ll see before November’s election—you’ll have to wait until October 15 for the next one—Tuesday’s discourse is focused on the big topics. The roughly 15-minute-long segments include: "The Trump and Biden Records," "The Supreme Court," "COVID-19," "The Economy," "Race and Violence in our Cities," and "The Integrity of the Election."
Of course, the crowds on social media had plenty to say about the event. Memes, takes, all of it. Here’s the best of what social media had to say about 2020’s first general election presidential debate.
Everyone enjoy America's first Presidential Debate where 100% of viewers have tuned in out of some sort of morbid curiosity.
— Dave Holmes (@DaveHolmes) September 30, 2020
Trump at #Debatenight when Biden raises a legitimate point. pic.twitter.com/tjuS87EnZM
— Rory (@Rory_Moe) September 30, 2020
I feel like this will be me the entire debate #Debatenight pic.twitter.com/iYQkaCbDAN
— Rebel Knowledge (@RebelKnow) September 30, 2020
So they just gonna rebuttal each other all night? #Debatenight pic.twitter.com/5ErNcPfOms
— as told by ginger (@specialnobodii) September 30, 2020
Shit I thought the debate was between Trump and Biden. But it’s actually between Trump and Chris Wallace 😂😂😂 #Debatenight
— May (@MayDays08) September 30, 2020
The amount of self-tanner is OFF THE CHAIN!!!
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) September 30, 2020
Trump "I guess I'm debating you and not him!"
To the moderator!!!#Debatenight pic.twitter.com/Y7BTGG6QAk— Megan McGarvey (@McGarvinator14) September 30, 2020
"Mr President, can you please let the Vice President speak?" #DebateNight pic.twitter.com/EFm9EcuVLc
— Caroline Fenyo (@CarolineFenyo) September 30, 2020
WILL YOU SHUT UP, MAN?
Our presidential debate.— Glennon Doyle (@GlennonDoyle) September 30, 2020
I hear @MerriamWebster is updating their definition of “shit show.”
— Alton Brown (@altonbrown) September 30, 2020
Why won't Biden get madder? GET MAD. SAY MALARKEY IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES
— Jen Chaney (@chaneyj) September 30, 2020
The person trying to write the captions for this debate #Debatenight pic.twitter.com/IDz3Cn09bm
— samsfeelingood (@samsfeelinggood) September 30, 2020
Who can forget the national swine flu pandemic that ruined our economy and closed the schools.
— Evan Osnos (@eosnos) September 30, 2020
When you find yourself laughing like it’s a good reality tv show, but then realize this IS reality #Debatenight pic.twitter.com/CW42hGRGtv
— Allie Cochran (@AllieCochran17) September 30, 2020
Fauci going, when did I say that Trump??? #Debatenight pic.twitter.com/fHghOq7qIj
— #askDeeVa (@MzDeeVa4you) September 30, 2020
#Debatenight NOT JOE BRINGING UP THE BLEACH pic.twitter.com/lZ5JT5oSK4
— she/her (@laughoutlxud) September 30, 2020
Did Trump just say Insulin is cheaper than water.. #Debatenight pic.twitter.com/SD5nP19BFv
— tgoraus (@austrayamel) September 30, 2020
chris wallace hosting this debate pic.twitter.com/NaR8RNE5ht
— Desus Nice (@desusnice) September 30, 2020
Where can I get a bumper sticker that says “Will you shut up, man?”
— Barb McQuade (@BarbMcQuade) September 30, 2020
[turns on the debate] pic.twitter.com/FUpvkkachK
— Robert Silverman (@BobSaietta) September 30, 2020
if biden calls trump “a broke bitch” I think he can end this right here
— ☕netw3rk (@netw3rk) September 30, 2020
Did trump just insult Biden for wearing a bigger mask than him?#Debatenight pic.twitter.com/XpJxNC9X5p
— Jordan Yanch (@JordanYanch) September 30, 2020
did trump said “no one shows up” to Biden’s rally but does he remember this? humble yourself #debatenight pic.twitter.com/u83gMviGno
— kaela (@kaela_symone) September 30, 2020
DEBATE DRINKING GAME: Drink every time all the time
— Aparna Nancherla (@aparnapkin) September 30, 2020
Takeaway: Chris Wallace would not be able to stop my kids from fighting
— Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) September 30, 2020
This is actually just a warmup for everyone's Thanksgiving dinner.
— Sharon Weinberger (@weinbergersa) September 30, 2020
to all of you watching the debate live rn, i say: try ketamine
— no ❤️ (@bijanstephen) September 30, 2020
TFW twitter can’t even keep up with the trends. 🍸
#Debate2020 #Debatenight pic.twitter.com/CkCbZ1WVKu— JerriLynn (@Jerri_Lynn25) September 30, 2020
Other countries watching us all like #Debatenight pic.twitter.com/mkJzi2ryxP
— ༺ Mary ༻🤍 (@mkatherinee_) September 30, 2020
this has to b an snl sketch...... i’m overwhelmed........ #Debatenight pic.twitter.com/9KsqtOGo7C
— maddie (@mkmoultrie) September 30, 2020
Everytime trump says something ridiculous Biden turns directly to the camera like he’s on the office/parks#debatenight pic.twitter.com/ySUZznsNfx
— Marge (@marge185) September 30, 2020
Did Trump....excuse me, I’m sorry....but did he just refer to bringing back football...in a presidential debate....when referring to how he mishandled a pandemic??? #Debatenight pic.twitter.com/RLIbERdCL7
— ThisDude And His Wife (@thisdudeandwife) September 30, 2020
An hour into this thing ... pic.twitter.com/XaJ8eQTPgv
— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) September 30, 2020
ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF LAW AND ORDER? pic.twitter.com/DuRIr9IxyG
— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) September 30, 2020
#Debatenight
Chris as soon as this circus is over pic.twitter.com/StYL6t4HRI— Big Girl Slay 💋 (@Biggirlslay) September 30, 2020
am i watching a comedy, a horror, a terrible school play, 2 drunk guys arguing outside of a bar, or a presidential debate
— scottysire (@ImNotScottySire) September 30, 2020
This debate feels like watching Uncut Gems
— Sophia Benoit (@1followernodad) September 30, 2020
chris wallace moderating the debate pic.twitter.com/UsOM4tilYx
— ziwe (@ziwe) September 30, 2020
Space Force!
Drink!— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) September 30, 2020
This Trump vs. Biden debate: pic.twitter.com/HcIWIxlnOi
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) September 30, 2020
this debate is so bad Canada just built a wall
— Matt Oswalt (@MattOswaltVA) September 30, 2020
I started this debate with a white wine spritzer and now I need tequila. Lots of tequila. Doubles. Triples. 😔
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) September 30, 2020
At this rate, I would accept a debate by smoke signals. https://t.co/KJZSHbDYzY
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) September 30, 2020
you know a debate is going well when the moderator has to keep saying "i'm the moderator!"
— Aparna Nancherla (@aparnapkin) September 30, 2020
Wallace: What will you do to combat climate change?
Biden: [specific plan delivered in detail]
Trump: Let me tell you a story about the mayor of Forest City and their explosive trees!— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) September 30, 2020
Thanks for nothing, Chris Wallace. pic.twitter.com/9Tzp5b7Ob4
— Juliet Macur (@JulietMacur) September 30, 2020
There’s no shame in ending the debate early, you know.
— Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) September 30, 2020
"I have a TV that's not showing the presidential debate" pic.twitter.com/HLTNSTenQW
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) September 30, 2020
— Effin' Birds (@EffinBirds) September 30, 2020
This is how trump looks during this debate thinking that being loud is winning #Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/MJBhgv6KPg
— Pedro (@poliveira0) September 30, 2020
Me watching this Presidential Debate knowing I live in Canada 😊 pic.twitter.com/QhE5FZ0k2d
— IGZ (@igzrap) September 30, 2020
Chris Wallace Chris Wallace
at the beginning at the end
of the debate of the debate pic.twitter.com/DZQMKql7hH— The Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) September 30, 2020
Figured it out. #debates pic.twitter.com/Ll6DVXKCIo
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) September 30, 2020
my drink just asked for a drink
— Jason Gay (@jasongay) September 30, 2020
nixon looked a little sweaty at one debate and our parents talked about that for decades
— Steadman™ (@AsteadWesley) September 30, 2020
Stephen A needs to moderate the next debate
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) September 30, 2020
All across America, people are ready to take a shower.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) September 30, 2020
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