SHOWDOWN
Donald Trump edges Biden in presidential debate as he takes responsibility for Covid and hits rival over Hunter scandal
A COMPOSED Donald Trump came out on top in the final debate of the election.
The president in a more disciplined way - sticking to the talking points of the coronavirus pandemic and the economy.
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Tens of millions tuned in across the country as the president and his Democratic rival faced off in Nashville, , for their second and last in-person clash with just 12 days to go before the election.
Last night, the president said he takes "full responsibility" for the spread of coronavirus in the US.
Trump was far more subdued in Thursday's debate compared to his last appearance against Biden three weeks ago.
As he was previously criticized for frequently interrupting Biden at the last debate, on Thursday, he took to asking Welker if he could respond, thanking her when he was given time - and even praised her for her "handling" of proceedings.
was also seen taking diligent notes as Biden spoke – something he has tended to avoid in the past.
However, it is unclear how Trump's improved performance will impact the election as 47million Americans have already voted.
TOP TRUMPS
The US President also slammed Joe Biden over the laptop scandal involving his son Hunter in a fiery - but measured - final presidential debate on Thursday.
NBC News' Kristen Welker moderated the debate at Belmont University – with updated rules over the muting of microphones that proved successful in controlling the pace of the arguments.
The candidates began by debating during the first segment – with President Trump repeating his belief that the virus is "going away" and the US is "rounding the corner" in its fight against the disease.
Trump said he took "full responsibility" for the actions of his administration during the pandemic - but added it was " fault" coronavirus spread to the US in the first place.
"It's not my fault that it came here," Trump said, adding: "And it's not your fault either, Joe. It's China's fault".
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Biden hit back by slamming what he described as Trump's inaction.
"He said we’re learning to live with it… We’re learning to die with it," he said of Covid-19.
When asked about his relationship with - the infectious disease expert on the White House Covid task force that he described as an "idiot" - Trump insisted he "gets on well" with him.
He added: "I think he's a Democrat, but that's OK".
And when debating National Security and attempted foreign interference in the election, Biden said that countries including , , and were "interfering with American sovereignty."
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SCANDAL
Trump referenced businessman Tony Bobulinski's press conference, held just hours before the debate, in
Biden was challenged over his son Hunter's laptop scandal, with Trump insisted he and his family made "millions" from "China and Russia".
But the Democratic nominee shot back by saying the president is "the only one" who has made money from China, and pointed to the revelation earlier this week that Trump has a Chinese bank account.
"I have not taken a penny from any foreign source at any point in my life," Biden insisted
"I’ve not taken a single penny from any country whatsoever, ever," he added.
Trump repeatedly made the claims - that are yet to be conclusively proven or disproven - that Biden received overseas funds.
In one notable exchange, Trump said: "I don't make money from China, you do. I don't make money from Ukraine, you do."
As the candidates debated healthcare, Trump claimed that Biden wants a "socialist" system – which the VP denied.
"He wants socialism", Trump blasted as the pair clashed - adding "look at his Vice President" as he took aim at Biden's running mate , seen by many as on the left of the Democratic Party.
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Biden shot back at Trump, saying he supports private healthcare, and wants everyone to have a public option, as well.
"It’s ridiculous," Biden said. "The fact that there’s a public option, that makes it a socialist option?"
"Everyone should have a right to affordable healthcare," Biden insisted.
Biden promised to pass "Bidencare" if he's elected.
The plan is described as a 'Medicare-like public option" that would be offered alongside private insurance.
COVID PACKAGE
President Trump again slammed Democrats and when asked about another emergency coronavirus package.
"Nancy Pelosi doesn’t want to approve anything because she’d love to have some victories on a date called November 3rd," Trump said.
Biden, however, shot back that Democrats passed a stimulus package that has sat in the Senate since May.
"They passed this act all the way back in the beginning of summer," Biden said.
"This Heroes Act has been sitting there."
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'LEAST RACIST'
When speaking on immigration, Trump defended his policy that those seeking asylum in the US do so from outside the country.
He claimed that less than one percent of people who would be scheduled for hearings would come back.
"Only the really – I hate to say this - with the lowest IQ" come back for hearings, Trump claimed.
When discussing the topic of race in the United States, Trump claimed he has a "great relationship" with everyone.
"I'm the least racist person in this room," Trump insisted.
Biden then fired at Trump, dubbing him "Abraham Lincoln," as he referenced an earlier comment from the president saying "nobody has done what I've done for black Americans" since Honest Abe.
The VP accused Trump of "pouring fuel on every racist fire."
Biden slammed Trump as the candidates discussed climate change, and insisted he would not ban fracking.
"We’re going to pass the point of return within the next eight to 10 years," Biden said of climate change.
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"We can grow and we can be cleaner if we go the route I’m proposing," he later said.
When asked if he would ban fracking, Biden insisted: "I do rule out banning fracking."
He said "we need other industries to transfer" to other forms of clean energy and "make sure that we can capture the emissions from the fracking, capture the emissions from the gas."
Trump shot down Biden's climate proposal, and brought up previous comments from the VP where he said he wants to phase out fossil fuels.
"It’s all a pipe dream," Trump claimed.
OIL INDUSTRY
The president claimed, "We’re not going to have fracking” if Biden wins the election – despite the former VP saying it would not be banned.
And Trump pressed Biden to admit that he wants to see a "transition" from the oil industry to renewable energy. "Remember that Texas. Remember that Pennsylvania," Trump said as he looked to camera.
In the final question, both candidates were asked what they would say to those that did not vote for them in their inaugural address.
Trump responded: "We have to make our country totally successful as it was before plague coming in from China."
"Success is going to bring us together," he added.
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Biden again responded with his "president for all" philosophy.
"I represent all of you, whether you voted for or against me," Biden said.
"We’re going to choose hope over fear."
"What is on the ballot is the character of our country," he added.
Biden then emphasized the themes of "decency, honor respect" and "treating people with dignity."
As each candidate spoke, his opponent's microphone was muted for the first two minutes of the 15-minute segment.
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For the remaining 11 minutes, however, the microphones were unmuted.
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The microphone muting appeared to be used at least four times during the debate, ABC reported.
One hot-button issue the candidates did not discuss was the courts – despite Supreme Court nominee vote upcoming on Monday.
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