Jim Watson, Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
This story is part of Elections 2020, CNET’s coverage of the run-up to voting in November.
President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden went after each other the minute 2020’s chaotic first presidential debate started at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Moderator Chris Wallace, anchor of Fox News Sunday, struggled to keep order as the candidates fought over their records, the timing of Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, the coronavirus pandemic, the economy, race and violence in cities and the integrity of the election.
Fight night
It didn’t take long for the candidates to begin interrupting and talking over each other, with viewers quickly comparing the event to the infamous fights that take place on the Real Housewives reality TV franchise, especially during the reunion shows.
“This is ridiculous,” wrote one Twitter user. “These two are worse than a Real Housewives fight.’
What’s worse?
“I have been in a car crash, this is worse,” wrote one Twitter user.
i’ve been the only woman in many meetings, none of this is fazing me
— jenn (@jennschiffer) September 30, 2020
Biggest mask ever
Of course, the coronavirus outbreak came in for heated debate, with Biden accusing the president of not doing enough to protect the nation, and the president at one point saying Biden “shows up with the biggest mask I’ve ever seen.” The mask comment especially drew the attention of social-media commenters.
“Where can I order the biggest mask you’ve ever seen?” asked one Twitter user.
‘Shut up’
At one point, Biden asked the president, “Will you shut up, man?” And that phrase took off on social media.
Where can I get a bumper sticker that says “Will you shut up, man?”
— Barb McQuade (@BarbMcQuade) September 30, 2020
Even the president’s former opponent, Hillary Clinton weighed in.
Where’s Zoom when you need it?
Many viewers compared the night with an out-of-control Zoom meeting in need of a mute button.
“10 bucks that Chris Wallace requests the next debate to be over Zoom so he can hit the mute button,” wrote one Twitter user.
10 bucks that Chris Wallace requests the next debate to be over Zoom so he can hit the mute button.
— c’est la V (@vianeyevelinn) September 30, 2020
I am a teacher who works on Zoom EVERY single day. I have the ability to mute microphones, shut off camera, send someone to a waiting room, or kick them out for inappropriate behavior.
Chris Wallace should have the same abilities.
— Bailey Brown (@baileystaysposi) September 30, 2020
‘Shitshow’
It’s fair to say that the reaction to the unprecedented evening was equally unprecedented.
Jake Tapper said on CNN that “That was a hot mess, inside a dumpster fire, inside a train wreck. That was the worst debate I have ever seen. In fact, it wasn’t even a debate. It was a disgrace.”
And Dana Bash added, “I’m just going to say it like it is. That was a shitshow.”
Jake Tapper says what we are all thinking: “That was a hot mess. Inside a dumpster fire. Inside a train wreck. That was the worst debate I have ever seen.”
Danan Bash adds that it was a “shitshow.” pic.twitter.com/EiX8h6zEWQ
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) September 30, 2020
We expected a shitshow. We got a shitshow. Nonetheless, I don’t think any of us expected the pile of shit to be 5 miles tall.
— TG221 (@TG22110) September 30, 2020
frequently in the past we have seen people make word clouds of a debate, but now, for the first time, a debate that is itself a word cloud
— Ariel Edwards-Levy (@aedwardslevy) September 30, 2020
That was the worst thing ever committed to television, and I watched the fourth season of Arrested Development
— Daniel Bader (@journeydan) September 30, 2020
Can’t wait to find out whether the Times styles “shitshow” as one word or two
— James Poniewozik (@poniewozik) September 30, 2020
Tuesday’s debate is the first of three, with the next event on Oct. 15 in Miami, and the third and final presidential debate on Oct. 22 in Nashville. A vice presidential debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris is scheduled for Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City.
“Can’t believe there’s two more of these,” wrote comedian and political commentator Bill Maher. “It’s like making a sequel to Cats.”
Can’t believe there’s 2 more of these. It’s like making a sequel to Cats.
— Bill Maher (@billmaher) September 30, 2020