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Fiery, chaotic, bitter: How US media called the first presidential debate

Television screens airing the first presidential debate are seen at Walters Sports Bar - Getty Images North America 
Television screens airing the first presidential debate are seen at Walters Sports Bar - Getty Images North America

With a President agnostic to them, and 90 minutes filled with ferocious blows from both sides, the US media had a challenge in working out what exactly this debate means for the impending election.

The resounding conclusion? Chaos.

A litany of insults made it difficult to discern what each candidate’s views were, and whether the debate will alter the mindset of voters who have largely already made up their minds.

Donald Trump’s aim in Cleveland was always to dominate, and make Joe Biden fit his “sleepy Joe” label. The former vice president's goal meanwhile was to prove to Americans he could hold his own after a sometimes shaky performance in the Democratic primaries.

‘Utter chaos’

Yet during the debate, the biggest challenge to Mr Biden was that, thanks to Mr Trump’s constant tirade of accusations and boasts, he struggled to finish his sentences.

“Trump’s heckles send first debate into utter chaos,” the front page of the New York Times read on Wednesday morning.

According to analysis by CBS News, Mr Trump cut over Mr Biden a grand total of 73 times, or around once every minute and a half.

“The two major party nominees expressed a level of acrid contempt for each other unheard of in modern American politics,” the New York Times said.

“Face to face anger as Trump, Biden lash each other”, added the Miami Herald.

For Mr Biden, the full display of Twitter Trump, unconventional and insulting, placed his character in a far more favourable light.

The quote drawn upon by US media was Mr Biden’s response of “This is so unpresidential”.

Failure to focus

After 90-minutes of swinging from both Mr Trump and Mr Biden, little clarity emerged on matters of policy.

The Wall Street Journal described their interaction as a “debate full of crosstalk”, adding that the meeting was “more notable for rancor than any policy nuance”.

Other American newspapers largely agreed.

“What happened in the first debate was far too much shouting and far too little information transmission. We deserve better,” said one reader’s letter in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

‘Unlike any in recent history’

For the Los Angeles Times, both candidates sought to appeal to their core candidates throughout the night.

Whilst Mr Trump bulldozed in with the brash persona that helped him win in 2016, Mr Biden offered a sober alternative to those Democrats who had strayed from party lines.

“After watching tonight’s debate, it’s hard to imagine how any voter can be undecided, because the candidates offer two such different paths,” said political reporter Seema Mehta.

The newspaper described the playoff of two candidates so very diverse to their core, and as an event unlike any other.

“The first presidential debate was unlike any in recent history from its very start,” the newspaper said.

The New York Daily News described the debate as 'rage on the stage'
The New York Daily News described the debate as 'rage on the stage'
The Washington Post described much of the dialogue as 'squabbling'
The Washington Post described much of the dialogue as 'squabbling'
The Boston Herald likened the interaction to a mud fight
The Boston Herald likened the interaction to a mud fight

So who actually won?

In a debate that became the equivalent of pandemonium, the winner for many was difficult to discern.

“Fiery debate signals bitter fight ahead,” said the Washington Post, describing much of the dialogue as "squabbling".

For much of the US media, Mr Biden came out on top, if only because he managed to hold steady and defeat any concern around his advancing age.

Thanks to Mr Trump’s constant barrage, Mr Biden barely had the chance to say anything damaging to his image.

According to a CNN poll of debate watchers, six in 10 viewers said the former vice president did the best job, while just 28 per cent agreed Mr Trump did.

What will voters make of it?

Whether this supposed victory will change anything for the majority of US voters remains to be seen.

Mr Trump’s supporters flock to him often because of his brash personality, and he is likely to be rewarded with their fierce loyalty after the first round.

“There’s been a lot of sound and some fury in this debate, but not much so far that’s likely to change many votes,” said David Lauter, Washington bureau chief for the LA Times.

Although an unusual amount of those heading to the polls on November 3 have already made their decision one way or another, the fate of the election lays in the hands of the undecided.

Mr Trump’s brash display could turn away these voters. While Mr Biden did not come off as forceful, he appeared to toe the line and offer some stability, perhaps offering those in the middle what they are looking for.