Donald Trump Now Says First Debate Was ‘Rigged'

tv Newser ^ | Sep. 29, 2016 - 4:09 PM | Mark Joyella

[Red Steel]

In a speech Thursday afternoon, Donald Trump called the first presidential debate with Hillary Clinton “rigged,” and seemed to place much of the blame on the moderator, NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt.

“Then I had to put up with the anchor, and fight the anchor all the time on everything I said,” Trump said. “What a rigged deal.”

The comments represent a shift from the morning after the debate, when Trump told Fox and Friends “I thought Lester was really good for the half … I thought he was fine. Nothing outstanding. He gave me very unfair questions at the end, last three or four questions. I’m not complaining.”

[bigbob]

We can’t stop them but we can expose them so more people see how the system is rigged.

Wait for the next polls to tell us how big-league Hillary won. That’s the next step in the rigging, to discourage people from going over to Trump.

[georgiarat]

Trump should ask if CNN or any other network would post a post debate poll that could have significant impact with a Republican bias of 20 points?

[Kozy]

The other thing it is live. So they ask about Trump and being a rich who uses the system to him own benefit. He should answer that the economy is the worst under Obama Clinton, it is hurting the middle class, it is devastating to the urban population. America wants jobs, they want good paying jobs. Will those jobs are in China, I will bring them back. Cooper will say that he didn't answer the question. Trump should say I answered the question that Americans are asking. Next.

Forget their questions and articulate his policies. For get them. It's 90 minutes in front of the cameras and talking to Americans. Bleed America, forget the set up.

[drypowder]

so far they've had two MSM liberal moderators. Now Trump needs to demand two conservative moderators of his choosing for the next two debates or forget about it. Savage and Hannity will do.

[jonrick46]

"Now they’re mocking Trump as a conspiracy theorist."

This tactic has been formulated in advance. They have the conspiracy nut charge ready to go just in case Trump finds cause to suspect they were up to monkey business. They don't realize we have the video evidence. I am sure Trump has viewed the evidence. Also, he experienced first hand the evidence after the debate when he patted Hillary on the back twice after they shook hands. The second pat was to confirm what he sensed from the first pat. There was some electronic equipment strapped to Hillary's back that shouldn't have been there.

[Fantasywriter]

Holt made Candy Crowley look fair and balanced.

[Red Steel]

Cleaner guy tampering with Hillary's lectern before the debate. Green dress lady on the lookout.

Whacha doing placing a device or box Cleaner guy?

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

As always new evidence comes to the forefront. That’s why it’s best to hold your tongue for a little while.

Well, with The Donald, that’s a fat chance.

[jazminerose]

Or Clinton gave Holt the questions in advance.

[Right Wing Assault]

It was possibly rigged three ways.

[blueplum]

how many times did Holt interrupt Trump? 41 or something like that?

[Red Steel]

Time to fix some of this. Record and then jam their tinker toy signals next time and inspect lecterns for hanky panky.

[JonPreston]

I see some Bobby Knight influence.

Work the refs for the next game as they say in sports.

Good move by Trump, not to mention it’s true.

[Red Steel]

Yes 41 times interrupted by Lester the Mole...

[irishjuggler]

1. He needs to practice with mock debates like every other candidate has done. Winging it only goes so far.

2. He needs to hit harder on the Clinton Foundation and other scandals.

3. He needs to hit the MODERATOR(S) for their bias. Calling out the liberal media personalities to their faces always resonates with voters. Folks sitting at home can see the absurd level bias for themselves and are just waiting for media to be called on it.

[Right Wing Assault]

Have several cameras behind the candidates. Also have observers there, also.

[R_Kangel]

...... I sure wish Trump would come out with a statement to Hillary Clinton ....... "Hey Hillary, Don't you remember .... I did send you a copy of my tax return ..... I sent it to your email!!!"

.... Would love to hear Hillary's response.

[HiTech RedNeck]

you just guessed it dincha donald. we were waiting for you to say so.

[HiTech RedNeck]

being sincere helps, but when dealing with a known bullshit artist, having some good canned zingers helps too.

[cgbg]

I have been debating what the best approach is to deal with this issue.

Part of me says Donald should skip the next two debates.

Part of me says he can play the victim and let the biased and fixed debates continue, and then comment on them later.

Part of me says he should blast away at the commentator and Hillary.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each approach.

At a minimum he should feel no obligation to “play by the rules” and answer the question as asked or followup as asked.

He should make the points he wants to make regardless of what the moderator or Hillary says or does.

If he is interrupted he should just say “I am new to this politics business, and the public has a right to hear what I have to say. Please stop interrupting me when I am speaking.”