I would say he won the debate (well, he was debating, Biden was campaigning) and here’s why:

I originally disiked that he didn’t refute things (debunked Charlottesville, “losers and suckers,” etc.) but then I remember the info about it not being true has been available. Pushing back on that might have made sense but ultimately I now think it might have been a waste of time. Most people weren’t expecting this debate to happen and maybe it’ll be the only one between them. If this is the onLy one that ends up happening, he had to talk to people who don’t he maybe otherwise doesn’t/can’t. Ignoring the behavior of the three up there (they all acted gross imo) I think Trump used a strategy to accomplish three things.

1. He discussed things being largely ignored by the news (Burisma, Hunter China and Moscow issues, Obama-Biden misconduct before, during, and after the last election, etc) I typing he opted instead of refuting things he’s already denied or have been debunked, he chose to use his opportunity to inform America as a whole about topics that aren’t getting the appropriate amount of traction out there. I imagine some of the audience at home was hearing about those things for the first time.

2. He baited Biden into showing his true, non politician colors. A large swath of voters are picking Biden solely because he isn’t Trump. We all know Trump is a dick, especially his base. His behavior was pretty egregious but it was wasn’t exactly surprising to anyone. On the other hand, Biden is supposed to be this moral champion and he rolled in the mud with Trump and maybe got muddier. The worst Trump did was interrupt. Biden was rude, calling him racist, a clown, saying he was the worst president ever—for those who believe Biden is better than Trump on an individual personality role, how do you feel about Biden being the only one name calling on that stage EVEN THOUGH NAME CALLING AND NICKNAMES ARE SUPPOSEDLY “TRUMP’S THING”? I suspect that will disenchant people who like Trump’s policies but not Trump the man.

3. He pushed a big wedge between the two factions of Democrats. Trump’s base is pretty rock solid. At this point Trump voters are aware of and accepting of him as well as the GOP establishment. Democrats however are broken into radical socialist leftists and people who will ultimately vote Trump (lol, jk). Biden has the unfortunate problem of being beholden to both moderate Democrats and the radical wing. On the campaign “trail” he has openly embraced defunding the police and The Green New Deal. That has hurt him with the moderates who tonight he played to. The flip side is that while Trump did get Trumpily carried away he managed to pin Biden down on some concrete stances he was told to have today. Biden rejected TGND and supported the police. As we all know the Left eats their own.

So yea I think Trump won. Well, “won.” He didn’t really have any majorly garbage moments to be soundbitten. Soundbited? Anyway, he won by virtue of not being the one who lost the biggest.

Edit: Also I realize this might sound like I have a major problem with how Trump acted. I don’t, I think the guy was correct in pushing back and fighting for himself. He wouldn’t have had to if Wallace was doing his job. Trump actually adhered to the rules after he was chastised right at the get-go. He was silent and respectful.......until Wallace went full shill and brought up that absolutely ridiculous tax return question. Like, asking about federal income tax specifically doesn’t take into account other types of deductions/depreciations/losses, etc. Pushing for an answer to such a loaded question is ridiculous. It’s like that famous quandary—“Will you promise to stop beating your wife?” “No, I’ve never—“ “So you won’t agree to stop. Moving on...”

I would say he won the debate (well, he was debating, Biden was campaigning) and here’s why:

I originally disiked that he didn’t refute things (debunked Charlottesville, “losers and suckers,” etc.) but then I remember the info about it not being true has been available. Pushing back on that might have made sense but ultimately I now think it might have been a waste of time. Most people weren’t expecting this debate to happen and maybe it’ll be the only one between them. If this is the onLy one that ends up happening, he had to talk to people who don’t he maybe otherwise doesn’t/can’t. Ignoring the behavior of the three up there (they all acted gross imo) I think Trump used a strategy to accomplish three things.

1. He discussed things being largely ignored by the news (Burisma, Hunter China and Moscow issues, Obama-Biden misconduct before, during, and after the last election, etc) I typing he opted instead of refuting things he’s already denied or have been debunked, he chose to use his opportunity to inform America as a whole about topics that aren’t getting the appropriate amount of traction out there. I imagine some of the audience at home was hearing about those things for the first time.

2. He baited Biden into showing his true, non politician colors. A large swath of voters are picking Biden solely because he isn’t Trump. We all know Trump is a dick, especially his base. His behavior was pretty egregious but it was wasn’t exactly surprising to anyone. On the other hand, Biden is supposed to be this moral champion and he rolled in the mud with Trump and maybe got muddier. The worst Trump did was interrupt. Biden was rude, calling him racist, a clown, saying he was the worst president ever—for those who believe Biden is better than Trump on an individual personality role, how do you feel about Biden being the only one name calling on that stage EVEN THOUGH NAME CALLING AND NICKNAMES ARE SUPPOSEDLY “TRUMP’S THING”? I suspect that will disenchant people who like Trump’s policies but not Trump the man.

3. He pushed a big wedge between the two factions of Democrats. Trump’s base is pretty rock solid. At this point Trump voters are aware of and accepting of him as well as the GOP establishment. Democrats however are broken into radical socialist leftists and people who will ultimately vote Trump (lol, jk). Biden has the unfortunate problem of being beholden to both moderate Democrats and the radical wing. On the campaign “trail” he has openly embraced defunding the police and The Green New Deal. That has hurt him with the moderates who tonight he played to. The flip side is that while Trump did get Trumpily carried away he managed to pin Biden down on some concrete stances he was told to have today. Biden rejected TGND and supported the police. As we all know the Left eats their own.

So yea I think Trump won. Well, “won.” He didn’t really have any majorly garbage moments to be soundbitten. Soundbited? Anyway, he won by virtue of not being the one who lost the biggest.