Reactions On Social Media Suggest Final POTUS Debate A Toss Up, But A Lot Found Joe Biden To Be Really Angry

While the political pundits will debate who won Thursday night’s debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, numerous people have already weighed in on social media. But even on Twitter it was clear that the country remains divided as the commentary was split along party lines.

What many users were in agreement on was how very different this debate was from the last outing between the two challengers for the highest office in the land. Broadcast journalist Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly), who had previously been quite critical of the President tweeted, “Trump should have brought this version of himself to Debate #1 and insisted on a Debate #2 channeling this version. His poll numbers are going to go up.”

However, Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC), an American historian specializing in the United States presidency, saw that Thursday it was actually Joe Biden’s name, and tweeted, “Biden seems to be enjoying this debate — Trump isn’t.”

Of course there were the expected humorous digs at President Trump from those on the left, with former MSNBC commentary Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) suggesting that near the end of the first hour of the debate, “Whatever uppers Trump took before the debate just kicked in.”

Comedian and former U.S. Senator Al Franken (@alfranken) was perhaps among the most blunt commentators on Thursday, simply tweeting, “I really hate Trump #debate”

While Thursday evening’s debate wasn’t actually longer than past ones, some watching from home would have suggested otherwise. Comedian Sarah Silverman (@SarahSilverman) offered thoughts that are usually reserved for the annual Oscar ceremonies and suggested, “Even Scorsese thinks this debate should be shorter #Debates2020”

Then there was the elephant in the room – and not the GOP mascot – but rather that two white men in their 70s had such a fiery debate on the topic of race in America. This was noted by interdenominational speaker and Newsweek contributor Heather Thompson Day (@HeatherTDay) who tweeted, “I’m not gonna lie. It’s peak cringe to watch two white men argue about who has done more for the Black community & then only talk about who has let more of us out of prison.”

Angry Biden

Instead of the issues of the evening, what also happened to be discussed in great length on social media was how angry the former Vice President came off at times. Some saw it as the rantings of a crabby old man, while others saw the fight in the candidate who cares about the working man.

On user, @JosiahRises simply asked bluntly, “Why tf is Biden so angry right now?”

Of course the Young Republican National Federation (@yrnf) showed their support for the President and tweeted, “Joe Biden looks very angry and confused. By comparison, @realDonaldTrump is cool, calm and collected.”

Conservative activist and writer Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) shared those thoughts, and noted, “Joe Biden’s stamina is rapidly decreasing and he is quickly becoming more and more incoherent and angry-sounding.”

However, those on the left saw not anger or confusion but again someone ready to roll up his sleeves and fight the good fight. This included Joshua Geltzer (@jgeltzer), founding Executive Director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, who also noted that the President showed anger as well, “Trump gets angry when his own integrity is questioned. Biden gets angry when the American people’s integrity is questioned. I like the second look. It’s presidential.”

Video game designer Cliff Bleszinski (@therealcliffyb) agreed and noted, “Biden is at his best when he’s angry. Stay mad, Joe. #BidenHarris2020Landslide”

Robert Reich (@RBReich), former Secretary of Labor, also saw not anger but passion and tweeted, “Biden is more passionate tonight than he’s been in any debate I’ve seen. His passion comes from his indignation at what Trump has done to America.”

Other Twitter users simply liked Joe Biden angry. This included Crystal Ballinger (@CandidCrystal), who responded to another Twitter user and noted, “I’ve never seen Biden so angry. I love it”

What About Hitler?

The Vice President was also called out for a questionable comparison he made of North Korea and Nazi Germany, with the Axios team (@axios) addressing it directly by quoting the two candidates, “Trump on relationship with Kim Jong-un: ‘Having a good relationship with leaders of other countries is a good thing.’ Biden: ‘That’s like saying we had a good relationship with Hitler before he in fact invaded Europe.’

Conservative radio host Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) was quick to pounce, “Did Joe Biden just say we have a good relationship with Hitler at one point? No we did not, Joe.”

Fellow conservative commentator Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) was far more blunt in her follow-up tweet, ” Biden: Babblebabblebabble HITLER babblebabble.”

Ms. Malkin was called out according, with @BernadetteChgo suggesting, “Trump: Lielielielielielielie wiggle hands Lielielielielielielie”

Other Shout Outs

Then there were other notable comments on social media that spoke past the bipartisanship that was so prevalent on Twitter on Thursday evening.

Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks), American sports journalist and broadcaster, shared her thoughts not about either candidate and instead tweeted, “Big shout out to Kristen Welker who is doing an outstanding job moderating this debate. Not an easy task, and she is doing it with professionalism and control. Allowing space but not allowing chaos. A PRO!”

Finally, Kara Swisher (@karaswisher), American technology business journalist and co-founder of Recode, likely summed up what many of us watching at home likely felt – or wished we had done, “I AM NOT WATCHING THE DEBATE AND I FEEL GREAT. Looking at tweets is much better — like watching a horror movie from under the couch eyes closed.”