Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.
10:40 p.m.

President Trump in Charge, Biden Weak in First Debate

Following the first Presidential Debate, the Trump Campaign released the following statement on President Trump's resounding victory over Joe Biden:

“President Trump just turned in the greatest debate performance in presidential history, displaying a command of the facts and control of the conversation. Joe Biden was revealed as too weak to be president and spent most of the evening on his heels, unable to explain his 47 years of failure as a Washington politician, and even his friends in the liberal media will be unable to spin this as anything other than a miserable failure. Biden is too weak to stand up to the radical left, too weak to stand up to China, too weak to stand up to anti-police leftists, too weak to lead on the economy, and too weak to defeat Covid. Americans saw a strong president on top of his game against an inadequate challenger, who cannot be allowed to become president.”

- Bill Stepien, Trump 2020 campaign manager
Republican National Committee
10:51 p.m.

RNC Statement on Presidential Debate 

WASHINGTON — Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel released the following statement on tonight's Presidential debate:
 
"For ninety minutes, President Trump made a confident, commanding and compelling case for his re-election while taking Joe Biden to task for supporting radical policies that would raise taxes, destroy jobs and make our communities less safe.
 
"After tonight’s debate, the choice between President Trump’s 47 months of delivering real results versus Joe Biden’s 47 years as a failed, career politician has never been clearer. In 35 days the American people are going to re-elect President Trump to a second-term along with Republicans up and down the ballot."
   
###
Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.
September 29, 2020  11:45 p.m.

Top 5 Must-Watch Moments from the First Presidential Debate

President Trump showcased his strength as Joe Biden’s weakness was on full display.
 
Tonight, the American people witnessed President Trump deliver a strong, focused debate performance—a stark contrast from Joe Biden’s weakness on virtually every issue. Here are the top five must-watch moments from tonight’s debate:
  • Joe Biden refused to answer a question on whether or not he would pack the Supreme Court. “Whatever position I take on that, that will become the issue,” Biden said.
     
  • President Trump hammered Joe Biden for saying he would shut down America’s economy again. Democrats “think they’re hurting us by keeping them [their states and cities] closed. They’re hurting people … Our country is coming back incredibly well, setting records as it does it—we don’t need somebody to come in and say, ‘Let’s shut it down.’”
     
  • Joe Biden has not called a single elected Democrat leader to urge them to restore law and order and public safety to their streets. When asked why, Biden responded weakly: “I don’t hold public office.”
     
  • Joe Biden could not name a single law enforcement group that supports him. “He’s talking about defunding the police. He has no law enforcement support,” President Trump said.
     
  • President Trump is cutting the cost of prescription drugs. Joe Biden could’ve done this during his 47 years in government, but he didn’t.
Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.
September 30, 2020 1:46 a.m.

What They Are Saying: President Trump Won The Debate

Joe Biden was weak.
 

Joe Biden was the clear loser of tonight's debate.

  • Frank Luntz, pollster: “Biden should not have told Trump to shut up. Trump has rattled him, and it’s not a good look for Biden.  #Debates2020”
     
  • Jake Tapper, CNN: “I don’t know if Joe Biden won the debate, per se. He had some nice moments, but I thought he was kind of flat.”
     
  • Josh Rogin, The Washington Post: "Biden is wrong, the Trump administration did press the Chinese government to allow U.S. CDC representatives into Wuhan. Beijing refused."
     
  • Hugh Hewitt, MSNBC/NBC: “Winner: @realDonaldTrump on points. Loser: Chris Wallace. Winner: Judge Amy Comey Barret, who will be a justice. Loser: @JoeBiden for (1) having no response to “name one Joe.” (2) “Antifa isn’t a movement.” (3) The lockdown discussion. Voters don’t want a Biden lockdown.”
     
  • Bill O’Reilly: “Biden is coming across soft on crime. Every time Trump directs a question to him about what he would do—he dodges.”
     
  • Guy Benson, Fox News: “Biden pretending that the job losses are Trump’s fault, while also demanding more shutdowns & slower reopenings. Absurd.”
     
  • Ari Fleischer, Fox News: “Biden is too weak to take a stand on the filibuster or packing the court.  He should take a stand.”
     
  • Steve Hilton, Fox News: “oh please. knock it off with the Scranton schtick @JoeBiden. you're funded by Wall Street and your economic policies would hurt working Americans the most.”
     
  • Kimberley Strassel, The Wall Street Journal: “Why is Biden allowed to repeat that the facts about Hunter--as put out by a Senate Committee, with data from Treasury Department--are discredited? Every newspaper has noted the money Hunter took, from Ukraine to China. It's all true; even Hunter admitted it.”
     
  • Ari Fleischer, Fox News: “I thought that the president had the best line of the night when he said ‘I’ve done more in 47 months than you’ve done in 47 years.' That was a pretty good way to sum everything up. And I still think that Joe Biden is leaving himself very vulnerable because he just refuses to take a stand out of weakness, he acknowledges it! ‘I won’t give you an answer on court packing or the filibuster because I don’t want my answer to be the issue.’ What kind of leader or statesman answers a question like that?”

President Trump was the clear winner of tonight's debate.

  • Adam Wren, Politico Magazine: “Trump is winning this debate.”
     
  • Daniel Garza: “Spanish speaking viewers of Telemundo expressed their preference of who won tonight’s presidential debate: 66% Trump 34% Biden. #DebateTuesday”
  • Andrew Sullivan: “Trump is dominating. That’s the brutal truth. It’s painful. So far.”
  • Tim Pool: “Even Biden laughs at Trump's jokes This is hilarious Trump knows how to entertain and that wins people over Its sales They won't remember what you said but they will remember how you made them feel”
     
  • Geraldo Rivera: “I thought that Joe wasn’t sharp, and the President I thought was so forceful at times that I thought he was gonna try and eat Joe Biden literally on the stage.”
     
  • Kimberley Strassel, The Wall Street Journal: “1) There are two ways to think of debates. a) Did you excite/enthuse base? On this, Trump wins. He was consistent, and made the points that he is running on in this election--law/order; economy; D corruption in terms of FBI investigation/Hunter; handling of virus. #Debates2020”
     
  • Bill O’Reilly: “Trump being very aggressive in contradicting what Biden says. First 7 minutes—Trump stronger.”
     
  • Dana Perino, Fox News: “President Trump was very good on some of the specifics, I would say especially law and order, judges, veterans, and military. And he could really parry with Joe Biden on something like the Green New Deal.”
     
  • Brit Hume, Fox News: “Trump came off as an enormously forceful personality, and if strength is what you’re looking for in a certain sense maybe people would judge him the winner.”

The verdict is in, and it could not be more clear. By every single standard, President Trump won tonight's debate.

Biden for President
September 30, 2020

REVIEWS ARE IN: Biden Topples Trump in First Presidential Debate

Americans saw only one leader on stage tonight -- and one liar.

During this moment of national crisis, the American people have been crying out for real leadership. Tonight, Joe Biden showed them that there’s a path out of the darkness. While Trump offered nothing but interruptions and lies, Biden took the opportunity to lay out his plans to move this country out of the COVID crisis that Trump has let spin out of control. Biden spoke directly to the American people about the issues keeping them up at night: the empty chairs at kitchen tables from loved ones lost to COVID-19, and families struggling to get by because of jobs moved overseas under Trump’s watch.

Trump was desperate, weak, and angry. He’s losing the race, and tonight, he lost his temper. Once again, Trump had multiple chances to condemn white supremacy. And, once again, he refused. Trump came into the debate trailing in this race -- due to his failed leadership and because of his policies to reward the super wealthy and corporations over working families and small businesses -- and tonight, Biden left him in the dust.

Tonight was Donald Trump’s shot to provide a coherent argument to the American people for his reelection, and he blew it. No wonder Trump ended the night looking tired and angry, and Joe Biden went out smiling. 
 
Voters overwhelmingly thought Trump lost the debate:
  • CNN’s John Harwood: “CNN Instant Poll of debate-watchers on who won: 60% Biden 28% Trump”
  • Washington Post’s Paul Farhi: “CBS News instant poll about who won debate: Biden 48 percent, Trump 41 percent.”
  • Cook Political’s Jessica Taylor: “Words undecided voters in @FrankLuntz's focus group had for Trump: ‘arrogant’ ‘crackhead’ and ‘un-American’ Biden: ‘better than expected,’ ‘more professional,’ ‘restraint and compassion,’ ‘Predictable’ ‘coherent’ ‘leader’”
Republicans thought Trump lost the debate:
  • Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum: “I think the president overplayed his hand tonight… I don’t think it worked for him tonight. I think he came out way too hot.”
  • Former Trump White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci: “Biden won. Trump lost. The massive gaps in polls will grow larger. A historic landslide draws nearer. Only remaining question is margin of victory. Will Texas turn blue?”
  • Former Rep. Joe Walsh: “He interrupted EVERY Joe Biden answer. He refused to condemn white supremacists. He told a far right hate group to ‘Stand by.’ He viciously attacked Biden’s son. He was rude, indecent, immoral, unhinged, & cruel. It’s over. Donald Trump lost this election for good tonight.”
The media thinks Trump lost the debate:
  • New York Times’s Farhad Manjoo: “Very good closing by Biden. He’s done well. Trump gains nothing. He lost.”
  • Mother Jones’s Ben Dreyfuss: “Everyone on TV is being such a coward. “America lost” seems to be the consensus. Sure. America lost four years ago. But in the terms of this awful debate, Biden won. It was pretty obvious. And I am sure the polls will show that.”
  • Jon Meacham: “No hyperbole: The incumbent’s behavior this evening is the lowest moment in the history of the presidency since Andrew Johnson’s racist state papers.”
  • John Harwood: “Trump lost the debate”
  • Harry Enten: “Folks, Joe Biden has never trailed in this race. Based upon these insta-polls, he will continue to lead this race. Every day Trump doesn't gain is a bad day for him. There is zippo sign he's gaining after this debate.”
Even Trump appeared to feel like he lost the debate:
  • Washington Post’s Matt Viser: “‘This is the end of the debate,’ Chris Wallace says. And, fittingly, President Trump ends by yelling and grimacing while Joe Biden ends by silently smiling.”
  • CBS News’s Bo Erickson: “Last split-screen image of Trump and Biden tonight:”

NextGen America
September 29, 2020 10:40 p.m.

NextGen America's Debate Night Statement

Tonight, Americans heard the vision of Joe Biden and lack of vision from Donald Trump in the first general election debate of 2020. In response, NextGen America Executive Director Ben Wessel released the following statement:

"When Donald Trump actually took Joe Biden's advice and shut up, young voters heard that we can create thousands of jobs in a clean energy economy and fix the COVID nightmare if we elect Joe Biden. We intend to make that a reality this November.”

###
NextGen America is a multiracial coalition of young people, organized to take power by winning elections for progressive candidates. NextGen is uniquely suited to help millennials and Gen Z’ers seize power as an experienced yet nimble political organization that leads with authenticity and grit. Since 2013, NextGen America has registered over 1.3 million voters and contacted millions of young people with messages encouraging them to vote.
Human Rights Campaign
September 29, 2020 11:20 p.m.

HRC President: Trump Flailed, Biden Put Him on the Ropes

In response to the first Presidential debate this evening, Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David issued the following statement:
 
“Donald Trump tried to bully his way through this debate, illustrating just how desperate and deranged Trump is. He could not articulate a single plan for our nation, failed to condemn white supremacists yet again, and proved his strategy is to continue to spread disinformation in order to suppress voter turnout. He disrespected our nation and our democracy by treating this debate like a circus. Our democracy is at stake and Trump’s sideshow was a clown show and a mockery of our nation.  
“Joe Biden put Trump on the ropes and showed why he is the only option for Americans who care about restoring the soul of our nation and putting our country back on track. Only a Biden/Harris administration can lead us through this pandemic that has disproportionately impacted communities of color and LGBTQ people -- especially those of us with intersectional identities. Only a Biden/Harris administration can build back our economy to help working families and communities like ours that have born the brunt of the pandemics' negative effects. We all must vote this election and vote for the only ticket that can save our democracy, support our economy, and protect our communities — Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”

###
Evergreen Action
September 29, 2020 / received 12:04 a.m. on Sept. 30

Evergreen Action Statement On the Contrast of Climate Leadership in the First Presidential Debate

Tonight, Evergreen Action co-founder Bracken Hendricks released the following statement after the first presidential debate of the 2020 general election.

“In a night otherwise filled with chaos, the climate discussion was a small moment of clarity. 
“Climate change was not one of the original debate topics announced by Chris Wallace. Yet, with climate activists speaking up and the impacts of climate change literally burning their way into the headlines, climate change became a key discussion point in this debate. The climate crisis has become so big an issue that even Fox News can no longer ignore it.

“This was the most substantive discussion yet of the climate crisis in a general election presidential debate. However, Chris Wallace also fell into several common traps of asking whether climate change is real and discussing the cost of action without the crucial context of the cost of inaction. The moderators of future debates should build on this foundation and investigate the candidates’ divergent plans on the climate crisis.

“There is no greater contrast between the two candidates on any issue than on the climate crisis. Vice President Biden laid out a recovery agenda that would create millions of well-paying union jobs in a clean energy economy. He made a clear case for strong standards for clean cars, clean buildings, and 100% clean electricity by 2035. And while Trump refused to even denounce white supremacists, Biden’s plan acknowledges and addresses environmental racism. Biden’s answers tonight demonstrate an understanding of the scale of the crises we face and the recognition that the solutions needed to fix them.”

###
LULAC
September 30, 2020

LULAC: Presidential Debate Was A Debacle That Hurts America

Nation’s Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Says Voters Were Defrauded by Chaotic, Disgraceful Verbal Clash

Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued the following statement about Tuesday night’s debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden:

Domingo Garcia - LULAC National President
“Tonight’s debate failed to address the concerns of average Latino and American families. We need real plans for real problems. President Trump acted like he was in a verbal lucha libre instead of a presidential debate.”

Sindy Benavides - LULAC National Chief Executive Officer
“As we head into the November 3rd elections, it is unsettling that a standing president is falsely alleging voter fraud with mail in ballots. All of this is a calculated attempt to dissuade participation in our electoral process. Our hope is that all who are eligible to register to vote, do so and turn out to vote. EVERY VOTE MATTERS.”
Everytown for Gun Safety
September 30, 2020

Here’s What You Need to Know About the Proud Boys

During last night’s presidential debate, President Donald Trump refused to condemn white supremacy. Instead, when asked directly "to condemn white supremacists and militia groups and to say that they need to stand down," President Trump told the Proud Boys –– a far right Islamophobic and misogynist hate group –– to “stand back and stand by!” before adding, “But I'll tell you what, somebody's got to do something about antifa and the left.” 

The Proud Boys and other extremist groups across the country rejoiced at President Trump’s implicit endorsement and decision not to condemn white supremacy:

  • Members of the Proud Boys immediately began “sharing the group's logo with the president's words emblazoned like a slogan” after the President’s comments, and started selling a “Stand By” shirt.
  • One Proud Boy leader commented that “Trump basically said to go fuck them up!” and how it makes him “so happy.”
  • The national chairman of the Proud Boys wrote that he “will stand down sir!!!” He added that he is “so Proud of [his] guys right now.” 
The Proud Boys, founded by noted racist, anti-Semite, and Islamophobe Gavin McInnes in 2016, are a group of violent, far-right extremists who often express racist beliefs.

  • According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the Proud Boys are a designated hate group who “regularly spout white nationalist memes and maintain affiliations with known extremists. They are known for anti-Muslim and misogynistic rhetoric. Proud Boys have appeared alongside other hate groups at extremist gatherings like the ‘Unite the Right’ rally in Charlottesville.” 
  • The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) provides further context on the group: “The Proud Boys bear many of the hallmarks of a gang, and its members have taken part in multiple acts of brutal violence and intimidation.” Additionally, “[w]hile the Proud Boys insist that they only act in self-defense, several incidents ­— including one in which two members of the group were convicted of attempted gang assault, attempted assault and riot — belie their self-professed peaceful nature. Indeed, many members have criminal records for violent behavior and the organization actively pursues violence against their perceived enemies.” 

President Trump’s attempt to lay blame on violence from “the left” is inaccurate and ignores the true threat of far right extremism in America. According to a recent study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, “the most significant terror threat to the U.S. likely comes from white supremacists.” The report found that right-wing extremists were responsible for nearly two-thirds of terror attacks and plots in the U.S. last year, and for over 90 percent between January 1 and May 8, 2020. 

President Trump’s own Department of Homeland Security had previously echoed this assessment, declaring in a September 2019 report that “White supremacist violent extremism, one type of racially- and ethnically-motivated violent extremism, is one of the most potent forces driving domestic terrorism.” Despite this fact, the Trump administration has reportedly “redirected resources from countering far-right, racism-fueled domestic terrorism” and continued to push the false narrative that the primary threat of violence comes to the left. 

Guns are a key tool for far right violence. In a report on right-wing terror attacks between 1993 and 2017, the ADL concluded that “overwhelmingly, firearms and explosives were the most common weapons,” with more than a third of incidents involving “use or planned use of firearms.” Another ADL report found that in 2019, 86 percent of those killed by domestic extremists were killed by guns.

President Trump’s words have a history of inspiring violence. A few weeks ago, one of his supporters shot and killed two protestors in Kenosha and last year, the El Paso shooter’s white supremacist manifesto echoed President Trump’s anti-Latino racism. In all, a May 2020 investigation from ABC News found 54 cases invoking Trump in connection with violence, threats, and alleged assaults. Meanwhile, the SPLC reports that the number of hate groups in the U.S. has increased by 55% since 2017. 

More information on the intersection of armed intimidation and extremism can be found here. To speak with a policy expert, please do not hesitate to reach out. 

###