Trump fans celebrate, Biden faithful in despair over US presidential debate: ‘really sad’
- Republican supporters were revelling in Trump’s performance, as Biden’s hesitation and throat-clearing were moments of triumph for his fans
Donald Trump declared during his first debate against President Joe Biden ahead of November’s presidential election that the war in Ukraine “should have never started” had he been in office.
“That’s right!” chanted his supporter Monika Rothenbuhler amid applause in a bar in San Francisco.
Rothenbuhler, the vice chair of the local branch of the Republican Party, stood on conquered ground in the pub chosen by conservatives to watch the televised duel together, in a city where they represent a minority of voters.
Trump’s many invectives and sarcasm targeting the Democratic president were met with laughter and shouts of approval, while Biden’s every hesitation and throat-clearing was a moment of triumph for most, but not for 80-year-old Hazel Reitz.
“I can’t understand a word that he says,” she blurts out to her neighbour.
“I know, it’s really sad,” replied Adina Erridge.