Donald Trump attracts roaring applause as he starts his speech by saying: “Did anybody last night watch a thing called a debate?”
Trump then goes on the immediate attack against Joe Biden, saying he secured a “big victory” against a man who “is looking to destroy our country”.
“He’s the worst, he’s the most corrupt, the most incompetent president in the history of our country,” he says.
Trump refers to the Democratic Party as “evil”.
He pokes fun at Mr Biden, saying he “studied so hard” before the debate that he “didn’t know what he was doing”.
The former president then says Mr Biden is “grossly incompetent”, saying he is “not respected” around the world and is causing the US to be “laughed at”.
Debate drew 25 million fewer viewers than 2020, initial figures suggest
Last night’s presidential debate drew in around 25 million fewer viewers than Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s first face-off in 2020, preliminary figures have revealed.
It puts the debate among the three lowest-rated first presidential debates since 1976.
Around 73 million watched Trump and Mr Biden battle it out four years ago, compared to 48 million last night.
The figures from data firm Nielsen don’t capture the full extent of online viewing, however, meaning overall viewership was likely much higher.
The debate was organised by CNN but it was also aired on other networks and digital outlets.
Final data from Nielsen is due later today, when the debate ratings figures may increase.
White House says Biden had cold during debate
Joe Biden had a cold and sore throat during last night’s debate, the White House has said.
His performance against Donald Trump was described as an “unmitigated disaster” by some in his own party after he paused and stumbled his way through, prompting calls for him to step down.
Addressing his performance earlier, Mr Biden acknowledged that he doesn’t “debate as well” as he used to or “talk as smoothly.’.
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