The first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton went off pretty much as expected: while Hillary didn’t dazzle, she sat back and let a mad man run his mouth and she came out looking sane.
Jake Tapper of CNN described Clinton’s debate strategy aptly:
“She would say something, just to dangle out like a piece of meat in front of a rabid wolf, and he would go for it every single time,” Tapper said, adding that the tactic repeatedly took Trump “completely off message.”
“But no contrary facts, not one!” Tapper said incredulously.
Aside from the drama on the debate stage, social media once against showed why it offers a thousand times better commentary — and fact-checking — than any cable news pundit can.
Twitter nailed the perfect hashtag for the evening — #TrumpTrainWreck.
Trump doesn't seem to have the stamina to remain coherent for more than about 80 minutes. Imagine him at 11 hours. #TrumpTrainWreck
— Chris (@jnsq) September 27, 2016
Trump now says, in spin room, he didn't say that he was smart not to pay federal taxes–which 100 million people just saw him say.
— tad friend (@tadfriend) September 27, 2016
Debating while female, in one graphic. pic.twitter.com/lAhA5adcUe
— Sarah Kliff (@sarahkliff) September 27, 2016
Getting a head start on my 2016 tax return now that the debate is over#debates pic.twitter.com/DIysU90zwF
— Ben Hartman (@Benhartman) September 27, 2016
Bill Clinton had better start toning his arms if he wants to be as fly of a First Lady as Michelle Obama. #debatenight
— OhNoSheTwitnt (@OhNoSheTwitnt) September 27, 2016
If Donald Trump says "Sean Hannity" three times in a debate a Klan rally will appear in his mirror. #debatenight
— OhNoSheTwitnt (@OhNoSheTwitnt) September 27, 2016
If the guy didn't bother to prepare for the most important 90 minutes of his campaign, what do you think he'll do as president?
— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) September 27, 2016
Trump was making fun of Hillary’s health but if he sniffs one more time i’m calling 911.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) September 27, 2016
debate recap pic.twitter.com/KfnaH6C7pw
— Seinfeld Current Day (@Seinfeld2000) September 27, 2016
From tonight's debate transcript. I can't stop laughing at this #Trump #Clinton #ThanksMichaelThomas pic.twitter.com/CDm1RlVdXz
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) September 27, 2016
True story – my Dad's company was stiffed by Trump on a six figure telecom job in the 1980's. Trump told them it would cost more to sue him.
— Brian Walsh (@brianjameswalsh) September 27, 2016
If you stay in a Trump hotel, refuse to pay. Say that you weren't satisfied. He said that's cool. #debatenight
— Betty F*ckin' White (@BettyFckinWhite) September 27, 2016
Preparation and experience matter. Words matter. Truth matters. I can't wait to see Hillary take the oath of office #ImWithHer
— Al Franken (@alfranken) September 27, 2016
Sorry, i missed a couple of tweets. I was busy living in hell and getting shot. #debatenight
— Larry Wilmore (@larrywilmore) September 27, 2016
And best of all:
Things are off to a great start! https://t.co/VAnIWSijWB
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) September 27, 2016