By Usra Ali @USRAALIMSCM31
The second presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump took place on Sunday, October 9, 2016 in St. Louis, Missouri. It was organized in a town hall style and focused on the American people.
American citizens asked questions for the candidates that were submitted online via social media.
The debate began with Clinton and Trump declining to shake hands. Traditionally the presidential candidates shake hands before a debate starts.
Trump was first hit with the thought that was on everyone’s minds: What he had to say for himself regarding the degrading comments about sexually assaulting women when on the set of the show “Days of Our Lives”.
He briefly apologized and described it simply as “locker room talk”. He also claimed that the whole controversy is a distraction of “the bigger issues” and that no one respects women more than him.
As the debate progressed, there were many interruptions between the two candidates as well as talking over the two-minute time limit given to respond to a question asked.
Trump later became frustrated and accused the hosts Anderson Cooper and Martha Raddatz of giving Clinton more time to talk than him.
Trump confronted Clinton about her notorious email controversy, claiming that he would have her thrown in jail if he becomes president. His supporters in the audience laughed and clapped with extreme enthusiasm.
Obama Care was a reoccurring topic throughout Trump’s answers, claiming it was a fraud and didn’t work.
Meanwhile, Clinton claimed that the Affordable Care Act was effective and helped many people, explaining that throwing it all away would allow insurance companies to do whatever they wanted.
Islamophobia was also a topic discussed that has been brought up numerous times throughout the election.
Gorbah Hamed, a Muslim-American, asked, “With Islamophobia on the rise, how will you help people like me deal with the consequences of being labeled as a threat to the country after the election is over?”
Trump suggested that Muslims call the police and report other Muslims who may be committing terrorist acts, while Clinton said that Trump was dividing the country with his comments regarding Muslims.
A moment that was talked about even after the election was when a man asked Clinton and Trump to each say one thing that they respect about each other.
Clinton stated that what she did like about Trump was the way his children turned out and felt that they were a reflection of him. Trump said that he respects that Clinton is a fighter and doesn’t give up.
While many are divided about who “won” the second of the three Presidential debates, there is still a third and final debate that will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada at 6 p.m.
