Donald Trump aggressively tried to pin the nation's economic and national security problems on Hillary Clinton in the first presidential debate, belittling the former senator and secretary of state as a "typical politician" incapable of delivering the change many Americans crave.
But Trump found himself on the defensive for much of the 90-minute showdown Monday night. Clinton was thoroughly prepared, not only with detailed answers about her own policy proposals, but also sharp criticism of Trump's business record, his past statements about women, and his false assertions that President Barack Obama may not have been born in the United States. She said his charges about Obama were part of his pattern of "racist behavior."
The Democrat also blasted Trump for his refusal to release his tax returns, breaking with decades of presidential campaign tradition. She declared, "There's something he's hiding."
Trump has said he can't release his tax returns because he is being audited, though tax experts have said an audit is no barrier to making the information public. When Clinton suggested Trump's refusal may be because he paid nothing in federal taxes, he interrupted to say, "That makes me smart."
The televised face-off was the most anticipated moment in an election campaign that has been historic, convulsive and unpredictable. The candidates entered the debate locked in an exceedingly close race to become America's 45th president, and while both had moments sure to enliven their core constituencies, it was unclear whether the event would dramatically change the trajectory of the race.
The debate was confrontational from the start, with Trump frequently trying to interrupt Clinton and speaking over her answers. Clinton was more measured and restrained, often smiling through his answers, well-aware of the television cameras capturing her reaction.
Trump's criticism of Clinton turned personal in the debate's closing moments. He said, "She doesn't have the look, she doesn't have the stamina" to be president. He's made similar comments in previous events, sparking outrage from Clinton backers who accused him of leveling a sexist attack on the first woman nominated for president by a major U.S. political party.
Clinton leapt at the opportunity to remind voters of Trump's controversial comments about women, who will be crucial to the outcome of the November election.
"This is a man who has called women pigs, slobs and dogs," she said.
The centerpiece of Trump's case against Clinton was that the former senator and secretary of state is little more than a career politician who has squandered opportunities to address the domestic and international problems she's now pledging to tackle as president.
"She's got experience," he said, "but it's bad experience."
Clinton, who hunkered down for days of intensive debate preparation, came armed with a wealth of detailed attack lines. She named an architect she said built a clubhouse for Trump who says he was not fully paid and a former Miss Universe winner who says Trump shamed her for gaining weight. She quoted comments Trump had made about women, about Iraq and about nuclear weapons.
When Trump made a crack about Clinton taking time off the campaign trail to prepare for the debate, she turned it into a validation of her readiness for the White House.
"I think Donald just criticized me for preparing for this debate," Clinton said. "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."
The candidates sparred over trade, taxes and how to bring good-paying jobs back to the United States.
Clinton said her Republican rival was promoting a "Trumped-up" version of trickle-down economics — a philosophy focused on tax cuts for the wealthy. She called for increasing the federal minimum wage, spending more on infrastructure projects and guaranteeing equal pay for women.
Trump panned policies that he said have led to American jobs being moved overseas, in part because of international trade agreements that Clinton has supported. He pushed her aggressively on her past support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact while she was serving in the Obama administration. She's since said she opposes the sweeping deal in its final form.
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Trump repeatedly insisted that he opposed the Iraq War before the 2003 U.S. invasion, despite evidence to the contrary. Trump was asked in September 2002 whether he supported a potential Iraq invasion in an interview with radio personality Howard Stern. He responded: "Yeah, I guess so."
Presented with the comment during the debate, Trump responded: "I said very lightly, I don't know, maybe, who knows."
The Republican also appeared to contradict himself on how he might use nuclear weapons if he's elected president. He first said he "would not do first strike" but then said he couldn't "take anything off the table."
Clinton said Trump was too easily provoked to serve as commander in chief and could be quickly drawn into a war involving nuclear weapons.
Some frequently hot-button issues were barely mentioned during the intense debate. Illegal immigration and Trump's promises of a border wall were not part of the conversation. And while Clinton took some questions on her private email server, she was not grilled about her family's foundation, Bill Clinton's past infidelities or voter doubts about her trustworthiness.
SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION
The most-discussed moment of the debate on Twitter and Facebook was when Donald Trump claimed his temperament is "his strongest asset."
Representatives of Facebook said Trump captured about 79 percent of all Facebook discussions, compared with 21 percent for Clinton.
A spokesman for Twitter, meanwhile, said Trump talk was the subject of 62 percent of tweets.
Trump's talk about stop-and-frisk being a successful policing tactic and an exchange between Trump and Clinton over plans for defeating the Islamic State group were also top-tweeted debate moments.
This was the most-tweeted debate ever, according to the social media site, which was founded in 2006.
HILLARY CLINTON REACTION
Hillary Clinton said she feels "good" after an "amazing" debate.
Clinton is celebrating with supporters at a post-debate party in Long Island.
The Democratic nominee told a cheering crowd: "Do you feel good tonight? Well I sure do."
Clinton urged her backers to help turn out the vote, especially in the battlegrounds of Pennsylvania, Ohio and New Hampshire. She is scheduled to campaign midday in North Carolina Thursday.
DONALD TRUMP REACTION
Donald Trump said he'll definitely participate in the next two debates following Monday's opening showdown with rival Hillary Clinton.
Trump tells The Associated Press following the debate that "sure" he'll do the next ones.
Trump spokesman Jason Miller called it "silly" to think he might skip them.
Trump is also sounding confident about his performance. He says the debate went "great."
DONALD TRUMP'S MIC PROBLEMS
Donald Trump suggested his microphone in the debate hall wasn't working properly.
Trump visited the media spin room after the Monday night debate and said, "They gave me a defective mic!"
He said he "wonder(s), was that on purpose?"
Trump's claim about the microphone is far from the first time he has suggested that outside forces have conspired against him. He has several times warned his supporters that he believed he could lose in November because the general election would be "rigged."
PAUL RYAN REACTION
House Speaker Paul Ryan praised Donald Trump's debate performance Monday night.
The Wisconsin Republican says Trump showed energy in his 90-minute encounter with Hillary Clinton. He says that's why "the enthusiasm is on our side."
Ryan also says that with Americans wanting the country's problems to be addressed, "Donald Trump offers a chance to move in a new direction."
The relationship between the two men has been chilly all year. Ryan hesitated for weeks before embracing Trump's candidacy. He has repeatedly criticized Trump's comments about Muslims and other remarks.
