The first 2020 presidential debate between President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden, Tuesday night, kicked off to a raucous and rancorous start.
During the over 95 minutes debate moderated by Fox News' Chris Wallace, both sparred over everything from the Supreme Court nomination, wuhanvirus and Biden's son, Hunter.
Wallace asked them about the ongoing left-wing riots in many Democrat-run cities across the country. Biden was asked why he doesn't call the mayor of Portland, Oregon, to bring in the National Guard to stop the violence in that city.
"I don't hold public office now," Biden said, adding that "the violence should be prosecuted."
Wallace however didn't bother to ask the former vice president to condemn the far-left violent Antifa extremists who are responsible for the wanton destruction during the riots.
Instead the Fox News host, a registered Democrat himself, turned to Trump and asked: "Are you willing, tonight, to condemn white supremacists and militia groups and to say that they need to stand down and not add to the violence in a number of these cities as we saw in Kenosha, and as we’ve seen in Portland?"
"Sure, I’m willing to do that," Trump responded. "I’m willing to do anything. I want to see peace."
Biden interrupted, also demanding that Trump condemn white supremacists. "Say it. Do it. Say it," he pushed the president.
Apparently willing to oblige, Trump asked, "What do you want to call them? Give me a name. Give me a name."
Wallace mentioned "White supremacist — and right-wing militia." While Biden mentioned "White supremacists. The Proud Boys."
Trump said: "Proud Boys, stand back and stand by. But I’ll tell you what, I’ll tell you what. Somebody’s got to do something about Antifa and the left. Because this is not a right-wing problem, this is a left-wing problem. This is a left-wing problem."
Biden disagreed. "The threat comes from white supremacists," he said. "Antifa is an idea, not an organization."
Critics were quick to call out the former vice president's absurd claim, noting that it is indeed widely documented in videos that far-left fascist group Antifa is responsible for the ongoing mayhem in Democrat-run cities.
The Tuesday showdown between Trump, 74, and Biden, 77 sometimes devolved into schoolyard name-calling with the rattled former vice president at different times, calling Trump a "clown" and a "liar." At one point, looking visibly flustered, he snapped at the president: "Will you shut up, man?"
The moderator Wallace was widely criticized for appearing to run interference for Biden. He interrupted Trump whenever the president was about to drive home a point against Biden.
"Chris Wallace is the worst moderator ever.," Sheera Mac wrote on Gab.
Many also suggested that popular comedian and podcaster Joe Rogan host the next debate. "Trump should go on Joe Rogan’s show a week before the election for a three hour episode and melt the internet/media," Andrew Torba wrote.
The president also criticized Wallace during the debate. “I guess I’m debating you, not him,” Trump told the Fox News host at one point. After the debate, the president also shared a meme on Twitter illustrating 'Trump vs. Wallace and Biden.'
Tuesday's showdown between Trump and Biden is the first of three debates. The rest are slated for October 15 and 22.
Vice presidential debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Biden's running mate, Senator Kamala Harris, D-Calif., will take place on October 7.