It has been dubbed the political battle of the century.
And early indications suggest that as many as 100 million Americans tuned in last night to watch Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump go head-to-head in the first of three planned presidential debates before November’s fateful vote.
Right now, both sides are still arguing over which candidate scored the biggest points from the face-off – Trump started well – despite, or maybe because of some mysterious sniffles – but Hillary took command of the debate half-way through and Trump never regained his footing.
#DebateNight pic.twitter.com/x4oTfkIlHS
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 27, 2016
Thank you! Four new #DebateNight polls with the MOVEMENT winning. Together, we will MAKE AMERICA SAFE & GREAT AGAIN!https://t.co/3KWOl2ibaW pic.twitter.com/Yl2XShopEv
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 27, 2016
So, while the political wags thrash it out, let us simply enjoy the best, the funniest and the sharpest reaction from Twitter users during the 90-minute clash.
6:00 PM: turns on Presidential Debate
6:01 PM: finishes entire bottle of wine 🍷#debatenight
— Steph Frosch (@ElloSteph) September 27, 2016
She was ready:
Let's do this. #DebateNight pic.twitter.com/NkPEGHzucT
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 27, 2016
Hillary’s facial expressions and reactions went down a storm:
It is very obvious that Clinton has spent her whole career dealing with men interrupting her and talking over her. #debatenight pic.twitter.com/H9VrlO7DXV
— Ellie Hall (@ellievhall) September 27, 2016
A1 shout-out to The US Office here!
https://twitter.com/angelnorelation/status/780593485539782660
LOOK AT HER!
When Donald Trump says he has a "winning temperament." #debatenight pic.twitter.com/ElQ7aG2vxu
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 27, 2016
Sigh.
Text from a GOP friend of mine in Congress.
I'm sorry, Congressman, but tonight Hillary is coming across as presidential. #DebateNight pic.twitter.com/DsEEV2FSho
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) September 27, 2016
Oh the SASS:
"I did prepare for the debate. You know what else I prepared for? To be President." -Clinton #Debates pic.twitter.com/sl4QAkRluZ
— iliana (@getawaychaelisa) September 27, 2016
.@HillaryClinton: "Donald, I know you live in your own reality, but that is not the facts." #debatenight #debates pic.twitter.com/NlkNLgeryd
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 27, 2016
A lot of people were getting pissed off about Trump’s mansplaining…
his condescending interjections and interruptions and mansplaining are hitting the deepest part of my womanly frustration #Debates2016
— Rashida Jones (@iamrashidajones) September 27, 2016
Trump’s temperament came under scrutiny – not helped by him becoming temperamental while he argued that he has the better temperament to be president:
Hillary – calm, collected, rational
Trump – Literally two seconds away from throwing his own shit at the audience#debatenight— TechnicallyRon (On all the platforms) (@TechnicallyRon) September 27, 2016
I HAVE BETTER TEMPERAMENT!!! pic.twitter.com/7t8mbsme3o
— Joe Penna (@MysteryGuitarM) September 27, 2016
"I have better judgment than she does. I also have a much better temperament than she does," says the ranting, raving lunatic. #debatenight
— Dan Savage (@fakedansavage) September 27, 2016
Debate moderator Lester Holt could barely get a word in:
https://twitter.com/GottliebShow/status/780578693404123136
Trump tied himself in knots over his tax affairs:
https://twitter.com/lazlothebuzz/status/780583802632495104
Paying zero in taxes doesn’t make you "smart."
It makes you a tax evader. https://t.co/g9nQkSRvTB
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 27, 2016
BREAKING: Kim Kardashian will reveal Trump's tax returns on her snapchat after the debate
— Emmie Lichtenberg (@emmieshouse) September 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/SaraJBenincasa/status/780582685584470016
Plus some of his past statements and untruths got an airing:
"I do not say that [climate change is a Chinese hoax]!" #debatenight #Debates2016 pic.twitter.com/OofOXIsWbM
— Secular Talk🎙 (@KyleKulinski) September 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/ziwe/status/780590173193113600
Then there was the topic of the “small loan” from his dad that got him started in business…
“my father gave me a very small loan…” Just $14 million, Donald? #DebateNight
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) September 27, 2016
Oh, and Trump thinks ISIS has been around for a long time…
"no wonder you've been fighting ISIS your entire adult life"
presidential debate transcript, accurate quote, real thing that's happened
— Simon Maloy (@SimonMaloy) September 27, 2016
In the end, America’s most respected arbiters weighed in:
"Just listen to what you heard" best advice of the night for our nation. Thank you @HillaryClinton #debatenight
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) September 27, 2016
…and, erm…
Hillary Clinton belongs in the White House. Donald Trump belongs on my show.
— Jerry Springer (@jerryspringer) September 27, 2016
And just remember…
You guys, we get two more of these. #debatenight pic.twitter.com/GCSVPIh97C
— Brice Sander (@bricesander) September 27, 2016