The first US presidential debate descended into an ugly brawl with Donald Trump repeatedly interrupting Joe Biden and the White House rivals hurling insults at each other as they clashed over everything from the economy and race relations to the coronavirus pandemic.
At one point, Mr Biden, the Democratic candidate, became so exasperated he told the president: "Would you shut up, man."
The 77-year-old former vice president also called Mr Trump, 74, a "clown", "Putin’s puppy", a liar, a racist and "the worst president America has ever had" as last night's televised debate raged out of control and moderator Chris Wallace struggled to keep order.
"In 47 months, I’ve done more than you’ve done in 47 years," Mr Trump hit back.
"The country would be better served if we allowed both people to speak with fewer interruptions," the moderator appealed, turning to Mr Trump. "I’m appealing to you, sir, to do it."
"And him, too?" replied the president, nodding towards Mr Biden.
"Well, frankly, you’ve been doing more interrupting," added Mr Wallace.
"This is so unpresidential," said Mr Biden, who appeared at turns bemused, irritated and angry at the persistent attempts to derail his answers.
The two septuagenarians began sparring from the opening bell at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland with Mr Trump needling Mr Biden and bulldozing his answers in an aggressive attempt to close the polling gap with his challenger with five weeks left until the November 3 election.
Critics in the US claimed the chaotic exchanges were "an embarrassment to America".
In one particularly jarring exchange, Mr Trump refused to categorically denounce white supremacists despite being given several opportunities. He insisted extremist violence was "not a right-wing problem".
Pressed further, he said: "What do you want to call them? Give me a name."
Finally he answered, naming a notorious American far-right group, saying: "Proud Boys - stand back, stand by, but I’ll tell you what, somebody’s got to do something about Antifa and the left because this is not right-wing problem. This is a left wing problem."
The remark led to a massive backlash with Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeting: "President Trump owes America an apology or an explanation. Now."
After initially looking distracted by the ferocity of Mr Trump’s attacks, Mr Biden then veered between accusing the president of lying, shaking his head in disbelief and attempting to cut him out by speaking to voters directly into the camera.
Mr Biden took aim at Mr Trump for holding campaign rallies with crowds in the middle of a pandemic that has claimed more than 200,000 American lives.
The president claimed Mr Biden would have held similar rallies if he could get "more than three people" to attend. He also claimed more Americans would have died if Mr Biden had been president.
He tried to dodge questions about his taxes after reports that he paid only $750 in 2016 and 2017, insisting that he paid "millions of dollars" in taxes during those years but without offering any details. He boasted that he was simply using tax loopholes as a successful businessman.
"Show us your tax returns," asked Mr Biden.
"There’s nothing smart about you, Joe," the president sniped back.
"You don’t want to say anything about law and order," he said later, claiming the issue put him at odds with left-wing Democrats. "You’re afraid to even say it."
Mr Trump repeatedly tried to raise the issue of Mr Biden’s son, Hunter, receiving money from foreign governments, claims denied by his opponent.
The president hit a nerve in a low moment when Mr Biden mentioned another son Beau, who died from brain cancer five years ago, praising him for his military service in Afghanistan while blasting a comment Mr Trump reportedly made calling fallen US soldiers "losers".
"I don’t know Beau, I know Hunter," responded Mr Trump, who went on to raise Hunter’s struggles with drug addiction.
Mr Biden said he was "proud" of his son for his success in beating his drug problems.
While Mr Biden reassured voters he would abide by the result of the election, Mr Trump again raised his concerns over mail-in voter fraud and inferred he would question the veracity of the count if he lost.
The debate sparked strong reactions from the US media with CNN host Jake Tapper calling it "a hot mess inside a dumpster fire, inside a train wreck".
"That was the worst debate I have ever seen. In fact, it wasn’t even a debate," he added. "It was a disgrace and it’s primarily because of President Trump."
