- President Donald Trump expressed disappointment at Thursday’s debate that he has been criticized for being hostile to racial minority groups, especially Black Americans.
- The final debate of the 2020 election cycle was moderated by NBC News’ Kristen Welker, who is Black.
- “I can’t even the see audience because it’s so dark. I am the least racist person in this room,” Trump said.
- Democratic challenger Joe Biden responded forcefully on the issue of race, which he has spotlighted extensively throughout this campaign.
- “Abraham Lincoln here is one of the most racist presidents we’ve had in modern history,” he said, likening Trump to a “dog whistle as big as a foghorn.”
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President Donald Trump expressed disappointment that he has been criticized for being hostile to racial minority groups, especially Black Americans, during a heated exchange with Democratic nominee Joe Biden at Thursday’s debate.
Trump was asked about why he has spoken unfavorably about the Black Lives Matter movement and why he has been criticized for creating an uneasy racial climate in the country.
“I think I have great relationships with all people,” Trump said. “I am the least racist person in this room. I don’t know what to say. I got criminal justice reform done, prison reform, and opportunity zones. I took care of Black colleges and universities … They can say anything. I makes me sad.”
“I can’t even the see audience because it’s so dark,” he added. “I am the least racist person in this room.”
Biden responded forcefully on the issue of race, which he has spotlighted extensively throughout this campaign.
"Abraham Lincoln here is one of the most racist presidents we've had in modern history," Biden said. "He pours fuel on every single racist fire. He started off this campaign coming down the escalator saying he was going to get rid of those 'Mexican rapists.' He has made everything worse across the board ... This guy is a dog whistle as big as a foghorn."
Trump responded by slamming Biden for the 1994 crime bill, which the former vice president recently said was a "mistake."
—Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 23, 2020