'All talk, no action': Clinton and Trump clash in fiery presidential debate

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have come under fire for trading low blows during the first presidential debate 41 days out from the US election.

Barbs were liberally thrown by the Democrat and Republican nominees with Trump claiming his opponent "lacked the stamina" needed to be president only to be labelled a "racist liar" by Clinton.

Trump and Clinton shake hands before the debate. Photo: AP
Trump and Clinton shake hands before the debate. Photo: AP

The torrid affair had both candidates heated at times, as the issues of employment, race, war and taxes were deliberated.

Viewers noticed Trump's frequent sniffing, with the Government of Vermont Howard Dean suggesting on Twitter that the Republican nominee was under the influence of illicit substances.

Among the insults several inaccuracies were pointed out by new agencies who fact-checked the debate points.

In one of the biggest lies of the night, Trump repeatedly denied supporting the Iraq invasion in 2003.

“Wrong, wrong, wrong,” he said. “I did not support the War in Iraq, that is mainstream media nonsense put out by her [Clinton].”

As it turns out, Trump did in fact support the war before changing his mind a year later.

During the debate, Trump denied ever making comments that pregnancy was an inconvenience to employers.

The two candidates shared the stage for the first time during the debate. Photo: Getty
The two candidates shared the stage for the first time during the debate. Photo: Getty

“I never said that,” he said, although an interview with NBC in 2004 quoted him as saying: “A wonderful thing for the woman, it's a wonderful thing for the husband, it's certainly an inconvenience for a business. And whether people want to say that or not, the fact is it is an inconvenience for a person that is running a business.”

Only minutes into the debate, the two candidates were fired up as the first question, tackling the issue of employment in the US, was directed towards Clinton.

"I want us to invest in you. I want us to invest in your future," she told the nation, promising to create new jobs.

Trump fired back that Clinton had "30 years" to form a plan to create jobs and hadn't yet been able to implement her ideas.

"For 30 years you’ve been doing this and only now you’re starting to think of solutions," he said.

The moderator, Lester Holt, struggled to move on to the next question as Trump and Clinton continued to butt heads.

"I have a feeling that by the end of the evening I'm going to be blamed for everything that's ever happened," Clinton said.

"Why not," Trump shot back, before saying Clinton's economic plan is "all talk, no action, sounds good, never going to work".


Taxes

When questioned about taxes, Clinton addressed Trump’s failure to release his tax return, prompting an inevitable backlash from Trump attacking Clinton’s email scandal.

The candidates face off in the 90 minute debate. Photo: EPA
The candidates face off in the 90 minute debate. Photo: EPA

“I will release my tax returns against my lawyer's wishes. When she releases 33,000 emails that have been deleted,” he said.

“For 40 years everyone running for president has released their tax return. Why won’t he release his?” she responded.

Clinton took the opportunity to explain herself when prompted by Mr Holt, saying: "I am not going to make any excuses and I take responsibility for that."


Race

On the topic of race, Clinton said it remains a “significant challenge in our country”.

“Unfortunately race still determines too much - where you live, what education you can get, and yes, how you get treated in the criminal justice system.”

Trump said many of those involved in gang violence were illegal immigrants and persisted that America needs “law and order”.

Republican nominee Donald Trump speaks to the nation. Photo: AP
Republican nominee Donald Trump speaks to the nation. Photo: AP

"African Americans and Hispanics are living in hell. In Chicago they've had thousands of shootings. Is this a war-torn country? You walk down the street you get shot.

"We have to bring back law and order. We have gangs - illegal immigrants - who are roaming the streets."

The candidates came to agree on one point – the no-fly lists and watch-lists that both said needed more attention.

Clinton stated that those who are not allowed to fly should not be able to purchase a weapon, a statement that her opponent endorsed.


Legitimacy

Mr Holt directed the topic of legitimacy at Trump, questioning him over his belief that President Barack Obama was not an American citizen.

Trump publically stated on a number of occasions over several years that Obama was not born in the United States, only to backtrack earlier this month after prompting Obama to produce his birth certificate.

Clinton blasted Trump’s beliefs as a “racist lie”.

Shortly after, the crowd erupted into applause at her response to Trump’s criticism that she “stayed home” to prepare for the debate.

"I think Donald has just criticised me for preparing for this debate. And yes - I did. And you know what else I prepared for? I prepared to be president and I think that's a good thing."


War on Islamic State

The Republican candidate said America’s cyber security was not up to scratch.

"We came in with the internet, we came up with the internet. When you're looking at what ISIS are doing with the internet - they're beating us at our own game", he added.

He said America has to “knock the hell out of ISIS” in order to defend the country and believes he has the qualities to do so.

"I think my strongest asset, maybe by far, is my temperament. I have a winning temperament, I know how to win,” he said, although Clinton later said it was the “wrong temperament” needed to be a leader.


Personal attack on Clinton

Earlier this month, Trump remarked that his opponent "didn't have a presidential look".

Mr Holt addressed this statement, asking him to explain what he meant.

“I said she doesn’t have the stamina and I don’t believe she does have the stamina," Trump said. "To be president of this country you need tremendous stamina. You have to be able to negotiate trade deals with Japan, with Saudi Arabia. You have so many different things you have to be able to do and I don’t believe that Hillary has the stamina."

Clinton's response was awarded with another round of applause from the crowd.

"Well, as soon as he travels to 112 countries and negotiates a peace deal, a cease fire, a release of dissidence, an opening of new opportunities in nations around the world, or even spends 11 hours testifying in front of a congressional committee, he can talk to me about stamina."


Race to the podium

The tight race for the White House and the unpredictable clash in styles between the well-known but polarising opponents has generated wide interest in the potentially pivotal debate, which comes six weeks before the November 8 election after a campaign that has stretched over more than a year.

The gap between the two candidates in recent US opinion polls has narrowed this week, with the latest Reuters/Ipsos polling showing Clinton ahead by 4 percentage points, with 41 per cent of likely voters.

Clinton recently pulled ahead of Trump in the crucial battleground state of Florida, according to the Reuters/Ipsos States of the Nation project released on Monday.

If the election were held today, Clinton would defeat Trump, with 88 per cent of the 270 votes needed, according to the project, which is based on a weekly online tracking poll of more than 15,000 Americans.

Bill Clinton watches the debate from the audience. Photo: EPA
Bill Clinton watches the debate from the audience. Photo: EPA

Today’s debate will be the first time Clinton and Trump go toe-to-toe and the size of the television-viewing audience is expected to challenge the record of 80 million Americans who watched 1980's encounter between Democratic President Jimmy Carter and Republican Ronald Reagan.

Some commentators forecast Super Bowl-sized viewership of about 100 million.

Unlike the single-party debates held during the nominating process, the audience will be asked to remain silent and not applaud or respond to the candidates' answers.

The debate will be divided into six 15-minute segments.

Clinton won a coin toss and chose to take the first question. She will have two minutes to answer, after which Trump will be given equal time. Trump will then be given the first question at the beginning of the next segment.

The 90-minute debate will begin at 9pm local time (11am Sydney time) at Hofstra University on New York state's Long Island.

It is the first of three planned presidential debates.