2016 Presidential Debates Fast Facts | CNN Politics

2016 Presidential Debates Fast Facts

CNN Library
5 minute read
Updated 3:17 PM EDT, Thu October 5, 2023
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2016 Presidential Debates 58 videos
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CHARLESTON, SC - JANUARY 17: Democratic presidential candidates Martin OMalley (L), Hillary Clinton (C) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) participate in the Democratic Candidates Debate hosted by NBC News and YouTube on January 17, 2016 in Charleston, South Carolina. This is the final debate for the Democratic candidates before the Iowa caucuses. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
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NBC Democratic presidential debate in 90 seconds
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Clinton, Sanders disagree on support of President Obama
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CHARLESTON, SC - JANUARY 17: Democratic presidential candidates Martin OMalley (L), Hillary Clinton (C) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) participate in the Democratic Candidates Debate hosted by NBC News and YouTube on January 17, 2016 in Charleston, South Carolina. This is the final debate for the Democratic candidates before the Iowa caucuses. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
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Debate reality check: Who was telling the truth?
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Bernie Sanders defends gun control record
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Clinton to Sanders: I'm not starting over on healthcare
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Sanders: 'The Democratic Party needs major reform'
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Trump: Cruz 'insulted 20 million people'
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Republican presidential candidates, from left, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., businessman Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush take the stage before the Fox Business Network Republican presidential debate at the North Charleston Coliseum, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, in North Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill January 12, 2016 in Washington, D.C. In his final State of the Union, President Obama reflected on the past seven years in office and spoke on topics including climate change, gun control, immigration and income inequality. (Photo by Evan Vucci/Pool/Getty Images)
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Rubio, Cruz clash over proposed VAT tax
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NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - JANUARY 14: Republican presidential candidates (L-R) Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) participate in the Fox Business Network Republican presidential debate at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center on January 14, 2016 in North Charleston, South Carolina. The sixth Republican debate is held in two parts, one main debate for the top seven candidates, and another for three other candidates lower in the current polls. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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Ted Cruz deflects NYT 'hit piece'
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Bush: Trump's ban makes it impossible to take out ISIS
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Cruz, Trump debate 'New York values'
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US Democratic presidential hopefuls (L-R) Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton and Martin O'Malley greet each other following the Democratic Presidential Debate hosted by ABC News at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, on December 19, 2015.
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Clinton: Trump 'is becoming ISIS' best recruiter'
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Clinton, Sanders, O'Malley talk spouses' roles
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Bernie Sanders: Corporate America 'ain't gonna like me'
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Clinton: Trump rhetoric encourages radicalization
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Bernie Sanders addresses data breach controversy
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Republican presidential candidate Ohio Governor John Kasich (L) speaks during the Republican Presidential Debate, hosted by CNN, at The Venetian Las Vegas on December 15, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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The gloomy America on display at the GOP debate
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Donald Trump: 'Oh, you're a tough guy Jeb'
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Bush to Trump: You can't insult your way to presidency
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CNN's Reality Check: Ted Cruz vs the White House
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Donald Trump: There's no burden being a front-runner
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Donald Trump commits to the Republican Party
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Carson: 'Merciful' to 'finish the job' in War on Terror
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Rand Paul questions Donald Trump's candidacy
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Republican presidential candidates George Pataki, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum and Sen. Lindsay Graham are introduced during the CNN presidential debate at The Venetian Las Vegas on December 15, 2015.
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Gov. Chris Christie addresses L.A. school shutdown
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Carson holds moment of silence for San Bernardino
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Paul: Trump says we should close 'that Internet thing'
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Sen. Lindsey Graham: 'I miss George W. Bush'
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Mike Huckabee: Monitor radical Islam on social media
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Rick Santorum: 'All jihadists are Muslims'
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Graham apologizes for Donald Trump's stance on Islam
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CNN  — 

Here’s a look at the 2016 presidential debates:

5 candidate split no overlay
Nigel Parry for CNN
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Hillary Clinton, 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, pauses while speaking during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., on Thursday, July 28, 2016. Division among Democrats has been overcome through speeches from two presidents, another first lady and a vice-president, who raised the stakes for their candidate by warning that her opponent posed an unprecedented threat to American diplomacy. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Hillary Clinton, 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, pauses while speaking during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., on Thursday, July 28, 2016. Division among Democrats has been overcome through speeches from two presidents, another first lady and a vice-president, who raised the stakes for their candidate by warning that her opponent posed an unprecedented threat to American diplomacy. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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CNN Candidate Photography Donald Trump ph: Nigel Parry
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August 3, 2015
Event Type: Republican Forum
Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
Sponsors: KCRG-TV, WGIR-AM, New Hampshire Union Leader, Cedar Rapids Gazette, Post & Courier
Moderator: Jack Heath
Participants: Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Lindsey Graham, Bobby Jindal, John Kasich, George Pataki, Rand Paul, Rick Perry, Marco Rubio, Rick Santorum, Scott Walker
Transcript

August 6, 2015
Event Type: Republican Debate
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Sponsors: Fox News/Facebook/Ohio Republican Party
Moderators: Bret Baier, Megyn Kelly, Chris Wallace
Participants (decided by polling data): First Debate - Carly Fiorina, Jim Gilmore, Lindsey Graham, Bobby Jindal, George Pataki, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum; Second Debate - Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Scott Walker
Transcript - First Debate
Transcript - Second Debate

September 16, 2015
Event Type: Republican Debate
Location: Simi Valley, California
Sponsors: CNN/Salem Radio/Reagan Library Foundation
Moderators: Jake Tapper; Dana Bash and Hugh Hewitt also participate
Participants: First Debate - Lindsey Graham, Bobby Jindal, George Pataki, Rick Santorum; Second Debate - Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Scott Walker
Transcript - First Debate
Transcript - Second Debate

October 13, 2015
Event Type: Democratic Debate
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Sponsors: CNN/Facebook
Moderators: Anderson Cooper; Dana Bash, Juan Carlos Lopez, Don Lemon also participate
Participants: Lincoln Chafee, Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley, Bernie Sanders, Jim Webb
Transcript

October 28, 2015
Event Type: Republican Debate
Title: Your Money, Your Vote: The Presidential Debate on the Economy
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Sponsors: CNBC/The University of Colorado Boulder
Moderators: Carl Quintanilla, Becky Quick, John Harwood
Participants: First Debate - Lindsey Graham, Bobby Jindal, George Pataki, Rick Santorum; Second Debate - Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump
Transcript - First Debate
Transcript - Second Debate

November 10, 2015
Event Type: Republican Debate
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sponsors: Fox Business Network/Wall Street Journal
Moderators: Sandra Smith, Trish Regan, Gerald Seib and Neil Cavuto, Maria Bartiromo, Gerard Baker
Participants: First Debate - Chris Christie, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum; Second Debate - Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump
Transcript - First Debate
Transcript - Second Debate

November 14, 2015
Event Type: Democratic Debate
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Sponsors: CBS, KCCI and The Des Moines Register
Moderators: John Dickerson; Nancy Cordes, Kevin Cooney, Kathie Obradovich also participate
Participants: Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley, Bernie Sanders
Transcript

December 15, 2015
Event Type: Republican Debate
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Sponsors: CNN/Salem Radio
Moderators: Wolf Blitzer; Dana Bash and Hugh Hewitt also participate
Participants: First Debate - Lindsey Graham, Mike Huckabee, George Pataki, Rick Santorum; Second Debate - Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump
Transcript - First Debate
Transcript - Second Debate

December 19, 2015
Event Type: Democratic Debate
Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
Sponsors: ABC and WMUR
Moderators: David Muir and Martha Raddatz
Participants: Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley, Bernie Sanders
Transcript

January 14, 2016
Event Type: Republican Debate
Location: North Charleston, South Carolina
Sponsors: Fox Business Network
Moderators: First Debate - Trish Regan and Sandra Smith; Second Debate - Neil Cavuto and Maria Bartiromo
Participants: First Debate - Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum; Second Debate - Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump
Transcript - First Debate
Transcript - Second Debate

January 17, 2016
Event Type: Democratic Debate
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Sponsors: NBC, YouTube and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute
Moderators: Lester Holt and Andrea Mitchell
Participants: Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley, Bernie Sanders
Transcript

January 25, 2016
Event Type: Democratic Presidential Candidates Town Hall Meeting
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Sponsor: CNN
Moderator: Chris Cuomo
Participants: Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley, Bernie Sanders
Transcript

January 28, 2016
Event Type: Republican Debate
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Sponsors: Fox News and Google
Moderators: Bret Baier, Megyn Kelly, Chris Wallace
Participants: First Debate - Carly Fiorina, Jim Gilmore, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum; Second Debate - Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio
Transcript - First Debate
Transcript - Second Debate

February 3, 2016
Event Type: Democratic Town Hall
Location: Derry, New Hampshire
Sponsor: CNN
Moderator: Anderson Cooper
Participants: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders
Transcript

February 4, 2016
Event Type: Democratic Debate
Location: Durham, New Hampshire
Sponsor: MSNBC
Moderators: Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow
Participants: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders
Transcript

February 6, 2016
Event Type: Republican Debate
Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
Sponsors: ABC News and IJReview
Moderators: David Muir and Martha Raddatz
Participants: Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump
Transcript

February 11, 2016
Event Type: Democratic Debate
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sponsors: PBS/WETA
Moderators: Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff
Participants: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders
Transcript

February 13, 2016
Event Type: Republican Debate
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Sponsor: CBS News
Moderator: John Dickerson
Participants: Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump
Transcript

February 17, 2016
Event Type: Republican Town Hall
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Sponsor: CNN
Moderator: Anderson Cooper
Participants: Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio
Transcript

February 18, 2016
Event Type: Republican Town Hall
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Sponsor: CNN
Moderator: Anderson Cooper
Participants: Jeb Bush, John Kasich, Donald Trump
Transcript

February 23, 2016
Event Type: Democratic Town Hall
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Sponsors: CNN
Moderator: Chris Cuomo
Participants: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders
Transcript

February 25, 2016
Event Type: Republican Debate
Location: Houston, Texas
Sponsors: CNN/Telemundo/Salem Communications
Moderator: Wolf Blitzer
Participants: Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump
Transcript

March 3, 2016
Event Type: Republican Debate
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Sponsors: Fox News
Moderators: Bret Baier, Megyn Kelly, Chris Wallace
Participants: Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump
Transcript

March 6, 2016
Event Type: Democratic Debate
Location: Flint, Michigan
Sponsors: CNN
Moderator: Anderson Cooper
Participants: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders
Transcript

March 9, 2016
Event Type: Democratic Debate
Location: Miami, Florida
Sponsors: Univision/Washington Post/Florida Democratic Party
Moderators: Maria Elena Salinas, Jorge Ramos, Karen Tumulty
Participants: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders
Transcript

March 10, 2016
Event Type: Republican Debate
Location: Miami, Florida
Sponsors: CNN/Salem Media Group/The Washington Times
Moderators: Jake Tapper; Dana Bash and Hugh Hewitt also participate
Participants: Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump
Transcript

April 14, 2016
Event Type: Democratic Debate
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Sponsors: CNN/NY1
Moderators: Wolf Blitzer; Dana Bash and Errol Louis also participate
Participants: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders
Transcript

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton shake hands after the presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., Monday, Sept. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton shake hands after the presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., Monday, Sept. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
David Goldman/AP
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Republican vice-presidential nominee Gov. Mike Pence shakes hands with Democratic vice-presidential nominee Sen. Tim Kaine during the vice-presidential debate at Longwood University in Farmville, Va., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Republican vice-presidential nominee Gov. Mike Pence shakes hands with Democratic vice-presidential nominee Sen. Tim Kaine during the vice-presidential debate at Longwood University in Farmville, Va., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Julio Cortez/AP
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ST LOUIS, MO - OCTOBER 09: Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speak during the town hall debate at Washington University on October 9, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. This is the second of three presidential debates scheduled prior to the November 8th election. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - OCTOBER 09: Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speak during the town hall debate at Washington University on October 9, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. This is the second of three presidential debates scheduled prior to the November 8th election. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
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September 26, 2016
Event Type: First Presidential Debate
Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York
Sponsor: Commission on Presidential Debates
Moderator: Lester Holt
Transcript
Viewership: The debate is the most-watched debate in American history, averaging a total of 84 million viewers across 13 of the TV channels that carried it live.

October 4, 2016
Event Type: Vice Presidential Debate
Location: Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia
Sponsor: Commission on Presidential Debates
Moderator: Elaine Quijano
Transcript

October 9, 2016
Event Type: Second Presidential Debate
Location: Washington University in St. Louis
Sponsor: Commission on Presidential Debates
Moderators: Anderson Cooper and Martha Raddatz
Transcript

October 19, 2016
Event Type: Third Presidential Debate
Location: University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Sponsor: Commission on Presidential Debates
Moderator: Chris Wallace
Transcript

Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton walks off stage following the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2016%2F10%2F19%2Fpolitics%2Fpresidential-debate-highlights%2Findex.html" target="_blank">presidential debate in Las Vegas</a> on Wednesday, October 19.
Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton walks off stage following the presidential debate in Las Vegas on Wednesday, October 19.
David Hume Kennerly for CNN
Republican nominee Donald Trump walks off stage with his family after the debate.
Republican nominee Donald Trump walks off stage with his family after the debate.
David Hume Kennerly for CNN
Clinton gestures to the crowd immediately after the debate. There was no handshake between her and Trump.
Clinton gestures to the crowd immediately after the debate. There was no handshake between her and Trump.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Trump speaks during the debate -- the third of three presidential debates this year. It took place 20 days before Election Day.
Trump speaks during the debate -- the third of three presidential debates this year. It took place 20 days before Election Day.
ANDREW HARRER/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Trump entered the debate in his weakest position yet in national polls. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2016%2F10%2F19%2Fpolitics%2Froad-to-270-electoral-college-map-5-october%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Recent national polls</a> show Clinton's lead in the high single digits. And it doesn't look much better for Trump in several key battleground states.
Trump entered the debate in his weakest position yet in national polls. Recent national polls show Clinton's lead in the high single digits. And it doesn't look much better for Trump in several key battleground states.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
According to MJ Lee, CNN national politics reporter, Clinton's <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2016%2F10%2F19%2Fpolitics%2Fpresidential-debate-what-to-watch%2Findex.html" target="_blank">major challenge entering the debate</a> was not so different from the challenge she's confronted over the past few months: presenting the country with a positive vision for her presidency that is detached from her argument against Trump.
According to MJ Lee, CNN national politics reporter, Clinton's major challenge entering the debate was not so different from the challenge she's confronted over the past few months: presenting the country with a positive vision for her presidency that is detached from her argument against Trump.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Clinton takes notes during the debate.
Clinton takes notes during the debate.
Joe Raedle/AP
"Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace was the moderator for the debate.
"Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace was the moderator for the debate.
Joe Raedle/AP
Trump speaks to Clinton during the debate.
Trump speaks to Clinton during the debate.
David Goldman/AP
Clinton is seen on a television screen at the debate venue.
Clinton is seen on a television screen at the debate venue.
Daniel Acker/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Trump listens to a Clinton answer.
Trump listens to a Clinton answer.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Trump takes notes.
Trump takes notes.
Joe Raedle/AP
During the debate, Trump <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2016%2F10%2F19%2Fpolitics%2Fpresidential-debate-highlights%2Findex.html" target="_blank">refused to say</a> he would accept the result of next month's presidential election. "I will look at it at the time," Trump said when challenged on his claims that the election is "rigged" against him.
During the debate, Trump refused to say he would accept the result of next month's presidential election. "I will look at it at the time," Trump said when challenged on his claims that the election is "rigged" against him.
PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images
Clinton arrives for the start of the debate.
Clinton arrives for the start of the debate.
Julio Cortez/AP
Clinton waves to the crowd before the debate.
Clinton waves to the crowd before the debate.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Wallace speaks to the debate attendees.
Wallace speaks to the debate attendees.
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Clinton's husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, attends the debate with their daughter, Chelsea.
Clinton's husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, attends the debate with their daughter, Chelsea.
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Trump's sons Eric and Donald Jr. wait for the debate to begin.
Trump's sons Eric and Donald Jr. wait for the debate to begin.
David Goldman/AP
Malik Obama, President Barack Obama's Kenyan-born half-brother, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2016%2F10%2F18%2Fpolitics%2Fhillary-clinton-debate-guests-mark-cuban-meg-whitman%2F" target="_blank">was one of Trump's guests.</a> In July, Malik Obama voiced his support for the Republican.
Malik Obama, President Barack Obama's Kenyan-born half-brother, was one of Trump's guests. In July, Malik Obama voiced his support for the Republican.
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Bill Clinton waits for the third debate to start.
Bill Clinton waits for the third debate to start.
Patrick Semansky/AP
Trump's daughter Ivanka attends the debate.
Trump's daughter Ivanka attends the debate.
John Locher/AP
Trump's wife, Melania, arrives for the event.
Trump's wife, Melania, arrives for the event.
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The final presidential debate