The University of Nevada, Las Vegas hosted the third and final debate between presidential nominees Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on October 19. Fox News’ Chris Wallace moderated.
Read Senior Fellow Elaine Kamarck’s take here: “The third presidential debate: The strongman obscures the issues.”
To follow along with all Brookings scholars on Twitter, check out this list of Brookings experts, and follow us at @BrookingsInst for facts, quotes, and other quick analysis from Brookings experts. And if you’re not on Twitter, just keep this blog post handy–we’ll be updating it throughout the night in real-time.
See also our Election 2016 and America’s Future policy brief series, and Elections 101 videos.
#Election2016 isn’t over yet. Before November, read up on the most critical issues facing our country: https://t.co/JpjCwwWKih #debates2016
— Brookings (@BrookingsInst) October 20, 2016
catastrophic error for #trump https://t.co/msahePUfRk
— Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) October 20, 2016
Trump continues to call inner cities “disasters.” The data is actually less strident. https://t.co/0KIJSfgCE3 @EricMorath
— Amy Liu (@amy_liuw) October 20, 2016
Trump went into this debate further behind than any other, but played a low risk strategy right when that’s the opposite of the smart choice
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
1/2 much closer debate than before, hillary outpointed him, but headline is that he fell way short of what he had 2do to climb back #debate
— Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) October 20, 2016
2/2 biggest blunder was refusal to accept outcome of the election, that will dominate the post-debate and will drain votes.
— Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) October 20, 2016
“One of the most stunning things I’ve heard in a presidential debate, ever.” @andersoncooper on Trump’s refusal to accept election outcome.
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) October 20, 2016
Hillary slayed. #debate
— Michael Fullilove (@mfullilove) October 20, 2016
Prediction markets didn’t move throughout the whole debate. The state of the race remains unchanged. And that’s Clinton ahead by miles. pic.twitter.com/AAwl0zqjqg
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
“Such a nasty woman,” @realDonaldTrump interrupts even as @HillaryClinton is speaking on policy issues. A disgrace to American democracy.
— Suzanne Maloney (@MaloneySuzanne) October 20, 2016
Trump managed almost until the end not to call Clinton a “nasty woman”.
— Richard V Reeves (@RichardvReeves) October 20, 2016
But several minutes on Trump’s ignorance on Syria. That such a q had to be asked is pathetic. #unfit https://t.co/hjbrezgBw7
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) October 20, 2016
Wallace asks about entitlements: Social Security & Medicare. Trump answers on Obamacare. No follow up.
— Richard V Reeves (@RichardvReeves) October 20, 2016
Wallace did a good job managing this debate, but many of his questions (to both) have been: Why aren’t you promising Republican orthodoxy?
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
Trump’s right: We *have* been outplayed by Russia. But the way to address it is the opposite of what Trump proposes https://t.co/8eS0cZmGaV
— Shadi Hamid (@shadihamid) October 20, 2016
Hillary’s repeated promise to “go where the money is” has a strangely Willy Sutton feel. #badline
— Benjamin Wittes (@benjaminwittes) October 20, 2016
Here’s how Clinton’s plans alter the debt trajectory. (It’s hard to see; it’s basically unchanged). And you’ll see Trump’s plan explode it. pic.twitter.com/UCayFwDupM
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
HRC has a great, pointed attack of DT’s messianic pretensions here at the end. Wish it had come much sooner. #Debate
— Philip Wallach (@PhilipWallach) October 20, 2016
Question was about debt. Trump talks about trade deals instead.
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
As is Putin, in Trump’s view. This is a chilling understanding of leadership. https://t.co/pIPGt6133V
— Suzanne Maloney (@MaloneySuzanne) October 20, 2016
Trump’s plan to raise GDP growth to four percent: Say “I will grow GDP by 4 percent” during the debate.
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
Swatches of land is why they make maps with countries with different colors #debates #UNLVPresDebate #Trump
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
so much nonsense comes out of #trump‘s mouth #debatenight https://t.co/xkbMCLVMQT
— Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) October 20, 2016
Trump just referred to the mass refugee flow from Syria as “the great migration”
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) October 20, 2016
trump wobbling like george foreman in rumble in the jungle, does Hillary have a knockout punch? #debatenight
— Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) October 20, 2016
Hillary Clinton can be blamed for many things, but the fall of Aleppo? Bit of a stretch, Mr Trump #Debate
— Richard V Reeves (@RichardvReeves) October 20, 2016
Trump doesn’t know that Syrian-Iranian alliance is 30 years old, not a recent event. #unfit
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) October 20, 2016
How to connect with swing voters? Tell Americans that the Syrian dictator is smarter than the President of the United States #debates
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
ouch, strong counter on bernie, trump walked into that one. she’s outpunching him, though both are landing blows #debatenight
— Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) October 20, 2016
#debatenight : Goodbye reality #DonaldTrump. At 1 hour 15 minutes, he has completely stopped making sense on #Mosul, #Iran, etc.
— Cynthia Schneider (@schneidercp) October 20, 2016
Trump denying he was for the Iraq invastion is nuts. Everyone knows he said he was for it. It’s an obvious lie which hurt him in past debate
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
Trump: #Irandeal was stupidest deal of all times. Iran is taking over Iraq, sth they wanted to do forever…Big winner in Mosul will be Iran
— Suzanne Maloney (@MaloneySuzanne) October 20, 2016
Trump alleges Mosul campaign is timed to help Clinton in election. In today’s @RatlSecurity, we talk about how it’s actually risky for her.
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) October 20, 2016
To win the election, Trump needs to catch up, big league.
He’s not doing that.
A Clinton tie is a huge Clinton win.
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
Clinton’s answer on Mosul campaign & Syria shows how she brings together diplomacy, military partners, and smart strategy.
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) October 20, 2016
This is a very dialed-in Hillary tonight, her best performance
— Mark Muro (@MarkMuro1) October 20, 2016
Clinton is right: fundamental problem in the Middle East isn’t terrorism, but the civil wars that drive terrorism https://t.co/MqpcRclP9F
— Shadi Hamid (@shadihamid) October 20, 2016
If you’re shocked that Trump said he may not accept the result of the election, remember that he threatened to jail his political opponent.
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
Hillary is outpointing #trump, winning, tho this debate will be closer in the polls. Takeaway: #Trump hasnt done what needs to do. #debates
— Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) October 20, 2016
Tonight’s #debate feeds into the narrative that #Trump is a plant to get #Clinton elected bc that’s how self destructive his performance is
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
So, the moderator just had to explain to Trump that the “peaceful transfer of power” is an important part of American democracy
— Shadi Hamid (@shadihamid) October 20, 2016
“I’ll keep you in suspense” (on whether he’ll accept result of the election). A chilling moment. #Debate
— Richard V Reeves (@RichardvReeves) October 20, 2016
It’s not just this election that’s rigged. So are the Emmy’s.
Someone call a waaaambulance… https://t.co/wPTmHZqKhC
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
Big mistake for @realDonaldTrump not to say he would accept election outcome. Even @IvankaTrump accepts the election result. @2016PresDebate
— Darrell West (@darrwest) October 20, 2016
Trump doesn’t just throw Pence and Ivanka under the bus on accepting the result. He takes the wheel and drives over and back, over and back.
— Tom Wright (@thomaswright08) October 20, 2016
Q.Will you accept the results of the election. Trump: “I will look at it at the time.”
— David Wessel (@davidmwessel) October 20, 2016
Trump’s whining about a rigged election isn’t new. He said the same thing when he didn’t win the Emmy’s, too! pic.twitter.com/NOtbfIehi1
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
Tonight, Clinton has been stronger than the first two #debates which she won. Tonight could move Georgia & Arizona. #badhombres
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
Yes, the Trump foundation helped settle his legal problems:https://t.co/a5JFq90gkK pic.twitter.com/XnSk0qCJeD
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
Hillary does offense well. Her defense is to largely ignore a tough Chris Wallace question to her, and turn it into another attack on Trump
— David Wessel (@davidmwessel) October 20, 2016
The comparison of the Clinton Foundation to the Trump Foundation was priceless!
— Mark Muro (@MarkMuro1) October 20, 2016
Line of the #debate for #Clinton: #Trump engaged in “a pattern of divisiveness, of a very dark and dangerous vision for our country.”
— EJ Dionne (@EJDionne) October 20, 2016
To accuse Hillary of inciting the violence at his riots is absolutely crazy and off-base on Trump’s part
— Mark Muro (@MarkMuro1) October 20, 2016
Why does Donald keep saying “wrong” about things that we all saw him do on national television? Does he think we don’t remember? #debate
— Rebecca Winthrop (@RebeccaWinthrop) October 20, 2016
Clinton now brilliantly underscoring who the real #badhombre in this #debate and this campaign is. #TertuliaHillaryVsTrump
— Arturo Sarukhan (@Arturo_Sarukhan) October 20, 2016
Trump: she destroyed emails after getting subpoena “sniff” = lie. Its a tell. #debatenight
— Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) October 20, 2016
This has been Hillary at her best, strong, poised and presidential
— Vali Nasr (@vali_nasr) October 20, 2016
“Nobody has more respect for women than I do” is the biggest lie of the whole campaign.
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
Donald thinks belittling women makes him bigger: best quote from HRC so far #debate @FullerProject
— Rebecca Winthrop (@RebeccaWinthrop) October 20, 2016
“I didn’t even apologize to my wife” is one for the history books. #debate
— Richard V Reeves (@RichardvReeves) October 20, 2016
The framing of this q on sexual assault from Chris Wallace is a big #fail– insulting to women.
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) October 20, 2016
I like the part where they debate whether Trump started with a small loan of $1 million, or a small loan of $14 millhttps://t.co/yI4hw0STqW pic.twitter.com/rw9oBw3QbD
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
Hasn’t trump gone bankrupt like a ton of times? I don’t want to run “our country like I ran my company” trump – we can’t afford it! #debate
— Rebecca Winthrop (@RebeccaWinthrop) October 20, 2016
Easily best moment of the night so far for Clinton, comparing timelines #debate
— Richard V Reeves (@RichardvReeves) October 20, 2016
Clinton: “I’m happy to compare my 30 years of experience & everything I’ve done for this country” to Trump’s celebrity & failed businesses.
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) October 20, 2016
Never underestimate the ability of a woman to absorb a sexist jab or action and act like it never happened. #debates #SexismInSociety
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
Actually, we do still “make things” in US; our advanced industries, including mfg, grew from 2013-2015. https://t.co/SLcXoYUePs @MarkMuro1
— Amy Liu (@amy_liuw) October 20, 2016
Payroll employment since 2001: pic.twitter.com/xbHBzf9BhE
— David Wessel (@davidmwessel) October 20, 2016
It sounds like #Trump is going to pick our economy up by the productivity. #debates #UNLVPresDebate
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
And pundits criticized Obama for alienating the Saudis & other Gulf allies. Can’t imagine Trump’s demands for payoffs go over well in Riyadh https://t.co/NVzI4mrSa0
— Suzanne Maloney (@MaloneySuzanne) October 20, 2016
For more on why Hillary is right to highlight advanced industries as source of growth @EricMorath https://t.co/EsFLhdWcij
— Mark Muro (@MarkMuro1) October 20, 2016
Just imagine how Trump would explode in international diplomacy. The Iranians would have a field day goading him. https://t.co/B1kCdRCLyL
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) October 20, 2016
Winner in this debate is Chris Wallace. Very substantive questions. @2016PresDebate
— Darrell West (@darrwest) October 20, 2016
Wallace said we have the slowest economic growth since 1949.
Evidently he forgot 2007, 2008, and 2009.— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
Wallace should ask how much does Trump think allies should pay. What he likely intends is 100s of billions of $ a year.
— Tom Wright (@thomaswright08) October 20, 2016
No serious economist agrees with Trump that our trade problem is insufficiently tough trade negotiators.https://t.co/PZJnh3vQMR pic.twitter.com/yxzYkOXqOO
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
Glad she mentioned #adv mfg but we need a focus on all adv industries, since bulk of growth is in convergence of services + production https://t.co/TEhxWZbJoq
— Amy Liu (@amy_liuw) October 20, 2016
Is Trump actually claiming credit for increased NATO member contributions? I call 100% bullshit.
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) October 20, 2016
Trump doesn’t have a plan to lower your taxes. You can only lower taxes if you commit to spending less. He hasn’t done that.
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
Clinton is a talking-point politician: facts & policies in a world of feelings & prejudice. #debate
— Richard V Reeves (@RichardvReeves) October 20, 2016
HRC really does have a policy laundry list problem. She’s undoubtedly smooth, extremely well prepared, but what do people remember?
— Philip Wallach (@PhilipWallach) October 20, 2016
Man, all these policy details will bore #UNLVPresDebate viewers and then tomorrow, media will complain about a lack of substance #debates
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
Just don’t look to advanced manufacturing for a ton of jobs…but yes…
— Mark Muro (@MarkMuro1) October 20, 2016
Well, @Evan_McMullin not above follow-on cheap shots… a good sign for his future political viability. https://t.co/bYF03dp6ux
— Philip Wallach (@PhilipWallach) October 20, 2016
Trump again throwing US alliances away. Damage already done in this. #debate
— Natan Sachs (@natansachs) October 20, 2016
Trump’s failure to condemn Putin is a big big deal.
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
Trump’s ardent admiration for Putin is truly surreal.
— Suzanne Maloney (@MaloneySuzanne) October 20, 2016
Trump again insists there’s no proof of Russian responsibility for hack. #debatenight
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) October 20, 2016
Trump says again he doesn’t know Putin, but he knows Putin’s thoughts on Clinton and Obama. He won’t answer the challenge from Clinton.
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) October 20, 2016
In the last debate, #Trump called #Clinton “the devil” at the #UNLVPresDebate she called him “a puppet” #tiescore
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
Clinton challenges Trump to finally admit Russia’s role in hacks and reject Russian interference. #debatenight
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) October 20, 2016
“We are both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws.” #Clinton at #debate.
The line we will hear over and over if she wins.— EJ Dionne (@EJDionne) October 20, 2016
Chris Wallace is going a great job: He’s raised tone by asking substantive questions and keeping the answers on track
— Mark Muro (@MarkMuro1) October 20, 2016
Trump’s “We have some bad hombres in this country” was the moment Hillary Clinton was elected President of the United States. #debates
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
Tonight’s #debate, 20 mins in, is talking points versus passion #NotGoodForTrump #UNLVPresDebates
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
Polls show consistent support for a way for unauthorized #immigrants to stay in the US https://t.co/zFvEH368th via @NatImmForum #debate
— Arturo Sarukhan (@Arturo_Sarukhan) October 20, 2016
Calling Trump’s deportation force tasked with rounding up and deporting 11 million people a “plan” is absurd.
— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
#ChrisWallace pressed #Trump hard on whether he favored overturning #Roe. Trump refused to answer but predicted his justices would end it.
— EJ Dionne (@EJDionne) October 20, 2016
#Clinton is talking more clearly and passionately about womens’ thought processes around #abortion in the history of presidential #debates
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
#trump behaving much more normally, if he had done this starting at his convention, might have made a difference. #debatenight
— Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) October 20, 2016
Wallace is being firm tonight with q/a which is a nice change from previous #debates #unlvpresdebate
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
Speaking of gun violence https://t.co/idSM5Qhf3u via @BrookingsInst pic.twitter.com/OfZDathsyp
— Richard V Reeves (@RichardvReeves) October 20, 2016
This format is the most pro-policy we’ve had so far. And Trump has no answers beyond his first set of talking points. #debatenight
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) October 20, 2016
Still waiting for Trump to complete a whole sentence. #debate
— Richard V Reeves (@RichardvReeves) October 20, 2016
Revealing in #Trump‘s first #debate answer: He immediately went after Justice Ginsburg for going after him.
It’s always about him.
— EJ Dionne (@EJDionne) October 20, 2016
Snark aside. I cannot say how proud I am tonight of @unlv, my adopted home. This place deserves #debates and this is great for Southern NV!
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
On constitutional issues, we’re watching:
Yale Law Grad v. the President of Trump University— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016
“The Supreme Court: its what it’s all about” sage and historic words, Mr. #Trump #debates #UNLVPresDebate #ThisIsForReal
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
#trump is shooting death glares into the camera 90 seconds in. This should be entertaining #debates #UNLVPresDebate
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
wow, they really went to their neutral corners #debatenight.
— Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) October 20, 2016
As this evening’s debate approaches: at least 2.3 million people have already voted
— Michael McDonald (@ElectProject) October 19, 2016
What to watch for in tonight’s final #debate? Here’s my take live from Las Vegas #UNLVPresDebate pic.twitter.com/Pl7WC9Q04x
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 20, 2016
will be live tweeting and ready to pounce on lobbying issues or anything else interesting that comes up during last #debate @BrookingsGov https://t.co/ZWA9eOqlFA
— Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) October 20, 2016
Why Trump & Clinton should be talking about race inequality tonight/ Part 4 @daynamatthew3 https://t.co/2Vtz4Ts8tL pic.twitter.com/TBS8SK8l1q
— Richard V Reeves (@RichardvReeves) October 20, 2016
Get ready for tonight’s #debate with:
1⃣️ Briefs for the next prez https://t.co/4bfzmqdAA0
2⃣️ Elections 101 videos https://t.co/S9Ek1m8ARV pic.twitter.com/GUuPOBS7TQ— Brookings (@BrookingsInst) October 19, 2016
10 foreign policy questions for the final Clinton-Trump #debate on Wednesday: https://t.co/Mn5Zg8nPgO pic.twitter.com/tz3qI7tFM1
— Brookings (@BrookingsInst) October 17, 2016
Today’s cover of the @reviewjournal is an amazing cartoon highlighting the #UNLVPresDebate @unlv #trump #clinton #debates pic.twitter.com/IRBXDhhVZX
— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) October 19, 2016
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Brookings on the ground in Las Vegas: See what our experts are saying about the final presidential debate
October 19, 2016