Conservative pundits criticized the performance of both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in the first presidential debate, but many grudgingly gave the edge to the former secretary of state.
The consensus Monday night seemed to hold that Trump performed well in the first half of the debate, but stumbled as the 90-minute event dragged on. The real estate mogul was pressed to explain his changing record on the Iraq War, his recently-renounced belief that President Barack Obama may not have been born in the United States, and his past derogatory remarks about women.
Several commentators insisted that whatever the results, moderator and NBC News anchor Lester Holt gave Hillary Clinton easier questions (Trump himself said Holt did “a great job” and that the questions were “very fair”).
One publication immediately jumped to Trump’s defense. Breitbart News, which has openly supported the billionaire businessman’s campaign and whose chairman, Steve Bannon, is currently serving as Trump’s campaign CEO, pushed a story at the conclusion of the debate that accused Holt of ripping questions “straight from the Clinton campaign’s talking points.”
Read reactions from other conservative writers and strategists below:
Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt in a debate wrap interview on MSNBC:
“I think Donald Trump won the first—I clocked it at 29 minutes when birtherism came up. He blew that badly, terribly, and it turned the debate around. She then delivered a knockout blow on speaking to our strategic allies.”
Daily Caller writer Jamie Weinstein:
Hillary has been able to hammer her themes abt Trump: racist, corrupt, rapacious businessman.Trump has not been able to hammer his about her
— Jamie Weinstein (@Jamie_Weinstein) September 27, 2016
Commentary editor Noah Rothman:
Trump fans are attacking the moderator. Think everyone knows what that means.
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) September 27, 2016
Conservative blogger Erick Erickson:
Dammit people. Marco would be mopping the floor with Clinton. Ted would. Jeb would. But this?!
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) September 27, 2016
John Podhoretz, former Ronald Reagan speech writer and Commentary editor:
He’s so lost he didn’t know to go to the emails on that one
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) September 27, 2016
Daily Wire editor Ben Shapiro:
IRS question totally threw Trump off his game and he never recovered. https://t.co/p1BZLeg4EQ
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) September 27, 2016
Conservative writer and former Breitbart editor John Nolte wrote that the debate was “biased” in Clinton’s favor, but knocked Trump’s performance:
Trump blew a number of opportunities. Too defensive. Explained too much. Should’ve ignored bait. Hit her on Benghazi, server, etc.
— CNN Is Hitler (@NolteNC) September 27, 2016
CNN commentator and former Ted Cruz spokeswoman Amanda Carpenter:
Kind of a draw, but HRC had more memorable moments digging Trump than Trump digging Clinton. Advantage Clinton.
— Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) September 27, 2016
How long did Trump supporters anxiously await the day Trump would shred/destroy/pummel HRC at a debate? That guy didn’t show up.
— Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) September 27, 2016
Conservative blogger AGConservative:
So any guess on what crazy thing Trump says tomorrow to change the subject from this debate?
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) September 27, 2016
Fox News host Greg Gutfeld:
wonder how Trump media paint this as a victory in the next 2 hours. For him to improve, he must admit this ended bad. Lackeys don’t help
— GregGutfeld (@greggutfeld) September 27, 2016
you could call it a draw, but you’re lying to yourself.
— GregGutfeld (@greggutfeld) September 27, 2016
He did ok for the first 22 mins,not 29. The only way he could improve would be to study bigly on the issues and be better informed.
Breitbart is just a bunch of whiny ass titty babies. They can dish out the lumps but they sure can’t take them.
Lay of the blow next time, perhaps.
Campaign manager Conway over the weekend was calling Trump the Babe Ruth of debaters. A little league player or member of the high school debate team would be more cogent and knowledgable. How did the man do at military academy or Wharton?
I thought she did really well. I’m greatly relieved. I hope this swings the momentum of the campaign beyond his ability to recover. Time will tell.