With only 18 days left until the American election Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have gone head-to-head for the third and final debate in Las Vegas and, oh boy, Trump sure is looking less qualified than ever.
We’ve become accustomed to watching the Republican nominee bait, berate and straight up just yell over his vastly more experienced opponent and today was no exception.
Things kicked off much like the last debate — with no handshake — and didn’t really improve from there, although it was certainly more civilised than the pair’s previous encounters.
They started with gun laws and ended by offering their final pitches for the presidency, articulating come stark policy differences along the way.
Trump also managed to use the word “bigly”, somehow.
Here’s the moments we can’t stop talking.
Trump’s ill-informed take on abortion.
About 20 minutes in, shortly after declaring his pro-life stance and alluding to a plan to wind back women’s reproductive rights in America, Trump argued that a Clinton presidency would lead to babies being “ripped” from their mother’s bodies via late term abortions.
“If you go with what Hillary is saying, in the ninth month you can take the baby and rip the baby out of the womb of the mother, just prior to the birth of the baby,” he told moderator Chris Wallace.
“But it’s not okay with me, because based on what she is saying and based on where she’s going and where she’s been, you can take the baby and rip the baby out of the womb, in the ninth month, on the final day. That’s not acceptable.”
Clinton responded by saying that governments had no right to control women’s bodies.
“This is one of the worst possible choices that any woman and her family has to make,” she said. “And I do not believe the government should be making it.”
When Trump was asked about the multiple sexual assault allegations that been levelled against him.
Trump declared the 11 sexual assault claims levelled against him have been “debunked”, dismissing them repeatedly (and aggressively) as “lies” pedalled by the Clinton camp.
“I don’t know those people. I have a feeling it was her campaign that did it,” he said.
“Nobody has more respect for women than I do.” The audience then laughed. A lot.
“Donald thinks belittling women makes him bigger,” Clinton followed.
“I don’t think there’s a woman out there who doesn’t know what that feels like.”
Trump later went on to refer to his opponent as a “nasty woman”, because of course he did.
When he claimed everything he hasn’t won/won’t win was/is rigged.
Trump refused to say whether he’ll accept the election result, like, he just flat out refused.
“I’ll tell you at the time, I’ll keep you in suspense,” he said, when Wallace pressed him.
Clinton then provided a list of other things her opponent had previously claimed were “rigged”, including the Emmys.
“This is a mindset. And it’s funny,” but it’s deadly serious, she said.
“It just shows, you’re not up to doing the job. He is denigrating, he is talking down our democracy…”
Emmy winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus also offered her thoughts on the matter.
The candidates’ final pitches.
Wallace decided to end things “nicely” by giving both candidates a minute to give their final plug for the presidency.
Clinton promised to stand up for families and articulated a clear vision for America.
“I’m reaching out to all Americans because we need everybody,” she said.
“We need your talents. I’ve seen the presidency up close. Responsibility and opportunity. I have made the cause of children and families my life’s work. That will be my mission. Families against corporate interests. Give me a chance.”
Trump took a dig at Clinton: “She’s raising the money from the people she wants to control. Doesn’t work that way. We’re going to make America great again. We have a depleted military. Take care of our veterans. Policemen and women disrespected.
“All she’s done is talk to the African Americans and the Latinos. We are going to make America strong again… it has to start now.
“We cannot take four more years of Barack Obama and that’s what you get when you get her.”
Top Comments
The GOP created the hard right, conservative mob when they endorsed the Tea Party and their ilk such as Palin, all because they wanted to obstruct President Obama during his 8 years.
Trump was just the man who stole their monster.
I didn't need to witness 3 debates to know that Donald Trump is completely unfit for this role. Education and experience matters.