The debate in Nashville fires the starting gun on the final sprint to the November 3 election
Democrat Joe Biden renewed his attacks on US President Donald Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic at Thursday's final debate before the November 3 election, while Trump leveled unfounded corruption accusations at Biden and his family.
Trump, a Republican, initially adopted a more restrained tone than he did during their first presidential debate in September, which was quickly derailed by his constant interruptions.
But Thursday's clash still featured plenty of personal attacks between two men who evince little respect for each other.
The televised encounter in Nashville, Tennessee, represented one of Trump's last remaining opportunities to reshape a campaign dominated by a pandemic that has killed more than 2,21,000 people in the United States.
The pair's last televised showdown spiraled into an ugly confrontation marred by interruptions and name calling, prompting organizers to introduce mic-muting this time to try to keep things civil.
Democratic White House challenger Joe Biden warned in his final debate with Donald Trump on Thursday any country that interferes in the US election "will pay a price" if he is elected. "I made it clear that any country, no matter who it is, if it interferes with American elections will pay a price. They will pay a price," Biden said.
A day before the debate, US authorities had warned that Russia and Iran took steps to influence public opinion ahead of the November 3 vote.
To cut down on the interruptions that marked the last debate, during the two minutes the candidates have to respond to the moderator's questions only their mic will be live.
Donald Trump backed out of a second scheduled debate set for last Thursday over a disagreement about the virtual format following his COVID-19 infection. At that time, he raised concerns about having his microphone muted.
Here are the Highlights on US Presidential Debate:
I ran because of you, because you did a bad job: Donald Trump to Biden
"I ran because of you. I ran becuase you did a bad job. If you had done a good job, I would not have run for president," Donald Trump tells Joe Biden.
Joe Biden responds, "Our character is on the ballot. Look at us closely."
I am least racist person in this room: Donald Trump
The Black community likes me and I like them. Nobody has done more for the Black community, "except for Abraham Lincoln": Donald Trump
Joe Biden responds: "He pours fuel on every racist fire, every one."
Barack Obama got immigration wrong. As President I will fix that, says Joe Biden.
Separation of children at border: Joe Biden slams Donald Trump
Donald Trump and Joe Biden discuss a report, claiming the parents of 545 children separated at US border with Mexico can't be found. Immigration has never before been discussed in general-election debates.
"We're working on it. We're trying very hard," says Trump when asked if he had a plan to reunite these children with their parents. Trump claims the kids could have crossed the border in cartels or coyotes.
Biden retorts that the kids came "with parents" and were separated at the border. "It's not coyotes... they got separated from their parents. That makes us a laughing stock."
We have done an incredible job on healthcare: Donald Trump
Donald Trump on healthcare, says, "We have done an incredible job on healthcare, and we will do even better". The NYT report states, "Trump and the Republicans have repeatedly said that they have an alternate plan for health care, but they have never specified what it is."
Healthcare not a privilege, but a right: Joe Biden
"I will pass Obamacare with a public option. Secondly, we will reduce premiums and drug prices. I support private insurance,"Joe Biden.
Over concerns over a healthcare system run by the government, Biden says, "Healthcare is not a priviledge, it's a right. This will save lives, give people an opportunity. I don't see red states and blue states, I see the United States."
US Presidential Debate 2020: Donald Trump, Joe Biden discuss taxes in final presidential debate
"I prepay millions and millions of dollars in taxes," Trump reiterates. "I paid in advances, it's called prepaying..."
"Show us. Stop playing around. Show us. What we do know, is that you're not paying taxes, or your payment is so low. Come on!," says Joe Biden
Joe Biden compares the "good relationship" that Donald Trump claims with Kim to America's relationship with Hitler "before he in fact invaded Europe."
Donald Trump Over North Korea
On North Korea, Donald Trump questioned about the hard fact that North Korea's nuclear arsenal has expanded on his watch. Asked if North Korea rolling out its biggest-ever intercontinental missile was a betrayal of his "beautiful letters" from Kim Jong-un, Donald Trump says "No."
"I did my job impeccably, nothing was out of line": Joe Biden on Ukraine "links"
I carried out US policy. Not one single solitary thing was out of line. Second, the guy who got in trouble in Ukraine was (Trump), who tried to get someone there to speak out against me. My son has not done anything."
I've been congratulated by heads of many countries on what we've been able to do: Trump
Have many bank accounts, all listed. I was a businessman. Joe got $3.5 million from Russia, and it came through Putin, because he was very friendly with the former mayor of Moscow, and it was the mayor of Moscow's wife, and you got $3.5 million, your family got $3.5 millionn: Donald Trump
Joe Biden says never received "a penny" from any foreign source
Would you make China pay for their role in the spread of coronavirus? Joe Biden says will play by the international rules.
"I don't get any money from Russia," Trump says
"We have all the funding we need out of Russia. Nobody tougher than me on Russia, defends Trump. "Will he was selling pillows and sheets, I was selling tanks to Ukraine," he added. Donald Trump says he prepaid tens of millions of dollars in taxes.
Nations interfering in US election "will pay a price" if he is elected: Joe Biden
Joe Biden insists anyone who interferes in the election "will pay a price." But the price that was paid by Russia in 2016 - when he was vice president - was pretty modest.
After a 30-minute discussion on coronavirus, the debate focusses on to the upcoming ections
After a 30-minute round-about discussion on coronavirus, the debate focusses on to the upcoming ections
Its China's fault: Donald Trump
Donald Trump also added that he takes "full responsibility" for the response to the virus, months after he said he took no responsibility. "It's not my fault that it came here. It's China's fault," Mr. Trump said.
Anyone responsible for so many Covid deaths "should not remain as president": Joe Biden
Will make sure that everyone wears mask and move towards rapid testing, have to protect our seniors, our people. The president still has no comprehensive plan. Trump never told people that Coronavirus is dangerous, he kept telling people not to worry: Joe Biden
We are learning to live with Covid: Donald Trump
We can't close up our nation. 99% people are recovering. Have to open our country. People are losing jobs, losing lives: President Trump.
Will make sure we have rapid testing and people get better, Says Joe Biden
Joe Biden insists Donald Trump should bear some responsibility for how devastating the virus has been. "He did virtually nothing," says Biden.
I will end coronavirus: Joe Biden
Trump has no plan to fight Covid-19, says Joe Biden. Mr Biden said he would listen to scientists on the vaccine - something Donald Trump has mocked as a weakness.
We're fighting Covid-19, a vaccine that's coming: Donald Trump
COVID is a worldwide problem. 2.2 billion people have been affected by the horrible disease came from China. We have a vaccine coming up. I got better and recovered from the coronavirus. More and more people are getting better.
Donald Trump calls anchor of final Presidential debate ''far worse'' after posting his interview with CBC
Donald Trump calls anchor of final Presidential debate ''far worse'' after posting his interview with CBC
US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) called Kristen Welker, anchor of the final Presidential debate, "far worse".
This comes after Trump posted his full interview with CBC''s "60 minutes" in an apparent attempt to undercut the news program after he walked out on the interview, The Hill reported.
"Tonight's anchor, Kristen Welker, is far worse!" Trump was quoted as saying.