Hillary Clinton has special step built for tonight’s first TV debate with Trump because she’s 10 INCHES shorter than him
Reports claim Clinton's campaign requested the custom-made job to make up for the difference in height
HILLARY CLINTON is to get a customised podium ahead of tonight's first US presidential debate to reduce the height difference with bitter rival Donald Trump.
New snaps from inside the Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, where the debate will take place, shows two different sized podiums - a short one and a tall one raised internally with plywood.
According to WABC radio host Rita Cosby who got a sneak peek of the site, Clinton is 5’4 and Trump 6’2.
She reported Clinton's team "wanted the podium modified or a box added for her to stand on so she won’t look short next to Donald Trump".
It has not been officially confirmed which podium will be used by which candidate but it is assumed that Democratic nominee Clinton will stand at the shorter one to make up for the 10 inch height difference.
It’s not the first time short presidential candidates got a boost for a high-stakes TV audience.
In 1988, Michael Dukakis stood on a sloping platform that was hidden behind his lectern to be better matched with the taller George H.W. Bush.
Tonight's presidential debate is seen as crucial in the race for the White House in November.
Millions of people are expected to tune into the 90-minute show when it kicks off at 9pm.
According to a new ,Clinton and Trump are tied at 41 percent, with Johnson at 7 percent and Stein at 2 percent.
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Clinton's running mate Tim Kaine said: "I think this thing will be close right up until the end. We have to make our case every day. The debates are a great way to do that."
Kaine said the 68-year-old former secretary of state has a long track record of service in public life.
He added: "You can look at that. I tell the story about her being first lady of the United States, when the effort to get Hillary Clinton done failed, and that was a tough, tough, bitter loss, but then it tested her as a leader.
"I think that's a sharp contrast to a Donald Trump, whose only recognised passion in his life has been for himself. No great president in this country has been primarily a me-first person.
"The great presidents are people who watch out for others, and that's who Hillary Clinton has been, that's who she is, and that's who she will be."
Meanwhile from Trump's side, Mike Pence said the Republican candidate has been preparing for the debate all his life.
"He's built a great business. Hes travelled the country, and particularly in this campaign. Donald Trump has been out among the American people.
"I think hes given voice to the frustrations and aspirations of the American people like no American leader in my lifetime since Ronald Reagan," he added.