US Presidential Debate: Donald Trump Refuses To Commit To Accepting Election Results
The tactic has provoked waves of condemnation and even some of his campaign team have publicly distanced themselves from the comments.
On Wednesday night, he refused to back down and insisted he would wait to decide whether the election was fair.
"I will tell you at the time, I will keep you in suspense," he said.
Mrs Clinton responded by accusing
him of attacking American democracy and at one point called him a
“puppet” of Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.
"Let's be clear about what he is saying and what that means: He is denigrating, he is talking down our democracy and I for one am appalled that someone who is the nominee for one of our two major parties would take that position."
Immediately after the debate, Republican officials told reporters that the party leadership would accept the result and insisted that their candidate would too.
The final clash provoked several flashpoints and moderator Chris Wallace had to ask the candidates not to talk over each other.
"Let's be clear about what he is saying and what that means: He is denigrating, he is talking down our democracy and I for one am appalled that someone who is the nominee for one of our two major parties would take that position."
Immediately after the debate, Republican officials told reporters that the party leadership would accept the result and insisted that their candidate would too.
Mr Trump repeatedly called Mrs Clinton a "nasty woman”, while the Democrat described him as "unfit" to be commander in chief.
However, the evening focused more on policy than earlier showdowns and Mr Trump looked intent on maintaining a more even manner.
However, the evening focused more on policy than earlier showdowns and Mr Trump looked intent on maintaining a more even manner.
The final clash provoked several flashpoints and moderator Chris Wallace had to ask the candidates not to talk over each other.
Whether he has done enough to
stem his losses after damaging allegations that he made unwanted sexual
advances against several women is another matter.
Mr Trump accused Mrs Clinton's campaign of orchestrating the allegations, which he said were totally false.
"I think they either want fame or her campaign did it, and I think it's her campaign," he said, adding that they were such fabrications, “I didn't even apologise to my wife.”
Mr Trump accused Mrs Clinton's campaign of orchestrating the allegations, which he said were totally false.
"I think they either want fame or her campaign did it, and I think it's her campaign," he said, adding that they were such fabrications, “I didn't even apologise to my wife.”
Mrs Clinton said the women came forward after Mr Trump said in the last debate he had never made unwanted advances on women.
And it offered her an opportunity for one of the most devastating moments, with a passage that will strike a chord with women across the US.
"Donald thinks belittling women makes him bigger. He goes after their dignity, their self-worth and I don't think there is a woman anywhere who doesn't know what that feels like," she said, before launching an attack on Mr Trump's dark and dangerous vision.
And it offered her an opportunity for one of the most devastating moments, with a passage that will strike a chord with women across the US.
"Donald thinks belittling women makes him bigger. He goes after their dignity, their self-worth and I don't think there is a woman anywhere who doesn't know what that feels like," she said, before launching an attack on Mr Trump's dark and dangerous vision.
"That is not who America is," she added.
The two rivals also clashed on abortion, gun rights, immigration and the Islamic State during the 90-minute showdown.
With less than three weeks to go, it was the candidates' last chance to address their messages directly to the American people.
It ended, as it had begun, without the customary handshake in a sign of just how hostile this campaign has become.
After the final answers ended, Mrs Clinton stepped away from the podium to thank the moderator while Mr Trump stayed at his podium until she was out of reach.
The two rivals also clashed on abortion, gun rights, immigration and the Islamic State during the 90-minute showdown.
With less than three weeks to go, it was the candidates' last chance to address their messages directly to the American people.
It ended, as it had begun, without the customary handshake in a sign of just how hostile this campaign has become.
After the final answers ended, Mrs Clinton stepped away from the podium to thank the moderator while Mr Trump stayed at his podium until she was out of reach.
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