Trump’s ‘locker-room banter’ and threat to jail Clinton: how the second presidential debate got dirty
The encounter drew unprecedented interest, with Trump on the ropes courtesy of a video recording his crude boasts about groping women.
Welcome to the South China Morning Post’s coverage of the second US presidential debate between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton.
The encounter drew unprecedented interest, with Trump on the ropes courtesy of a video recording his crude boasts about groping women. Was the GOP nominee able to recover from his campaign’s seemingly disastrous position? Did Clinton deliver a knockout blow - or find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?
Read on for our coverage of the interactive town-hall style showdown at Washington University in St Louis. It’s a potentially treacherous format, that promises pitfalls for the unwary.
10.34am: Last question from the audience. “Would either of you name one positive thing you respect about one another?” The questioner gets the biggest laugh of the night! Clinton: “I respect his children...and that says a lot about Donald.” Trump: “I consider her statement about my children a very nice compliment...I’ll say this about Hillary, she doesn’t quit. She doesn’t give up.” It comes across as a genuine and (gasp) gracious moment to close the debate.
10.30am: Second mention of China by Trump as he says mainland steel dumping is “killing” US workers. Clinton says she “won’t be taken advantage of by China, on steel or anything else”.
10.27am: Asked about the vacancy on the Supreme Court, Trump says he wants a judge who respects the second amendment to the US constitution, on the right to bear arms. He also adds a non sequitur brag that he has put US$100 million of his own money into his campaign. Clinton: “I respect the second amendment...but I believe we should have comprehensive background checks.”