US Presidential Debate 2020: From Race To Coronavirus

In the final debate between US President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden, both men went toe-to-toe on matters bordering on race in America and the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump and Biden clashed over ways to handle the pandemic, with Biden stating that the country would fare better with more lockdowns, while Trump averred that the US economy needed to be reopened.

In anticipation of the upcoming November 3 US Presidential election, over 47 million people have cast their votes, making it a record-breaking number even amidst the raging pandemic.

The debate - held in Nashville, Tennessee - bore a less vitriolic air between both debaters compared to the September 29 name-slinging match.

To ensure that no man spoke out of turn, the organisers of the debate turned off the mics of candidates during opening statements, to allow for an uninterrupted start.

Although the debate was not without offences from both camps, as personal attacks were flung from both corners.

On Coronavirus

Biden plainly stated that he would support more lockdowns if it was suggested by the country's health authorities and scientists.

While Trump, on the other hand, raised economic concerns, stating that the US economy would suffer setbacks if more lockdowns were imposed.

Trump reasoned, "This is a massive country with a massive economy.

"People are losing their jobs, they're committing suicide. There's depression, alcohol, drugs at a level nobody's ever seen before."

READ ALSO: US Presidential Debate 2020: Trump, Biden To Go Head-To-Head At Final Debate

He continued, without much proof, that the virus was "going away", while Biden countered that the US was headed towards the direction of "a dark winter".

Trump said, "We're learning to live with it."

While Biden retorted, "Come on, we're dying with it."

The deaths of over 220,000 Americans were blamed on Trump's anemic response to the pandemic; asserting that one responsible for the deaths of that many people is not deserving of leading the country.

He said, "Anyone who's responsible for that many deaths should not remain president of the United States of America."

On Race

Trump declared himself as the "least racist person in this room".

To back up his point, Trump dug up the 1994 crime bill that Biden helped to draft, a bill that African Americans blame for the incaceration of members of the Black community.

Responding to Trump, Biden called Trump "one of the most racist presidents we've had in modern history. He pours fuel on every single racist fire.

"This guy is a [racial] dog whistle about as big as a fog horn."