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US ELECTION 2020

Donald Trump and Joe Biden clash over racism, Covid and foreign interference in final election debate

Donald Trump hammered Joe Biden as a failed career politician while his Democratic rival labelled him racist and neutralised the president’s main attack over alleged secret foreign earnings in their final TV debate.

The two men set out deeply contrasting approaches to the pandemic, immigration, climate change and energy in an informative debate last night that was a world apart from their raucous shouting match last month.

Both sides claimed victory after both candidates scored big hits that are likely to be replayed endlessly in the last 11 days before polling day, despite the fact that 47.5 million Americans have already voted in person or by post.

President Trump criticised Joe Biden for locking himself “in a basement” during the coronavirus pandemic
President Trump criticised Joe Biden for locking himself “in a basement” during the coronavirus pandemic
JONATHAN ERNST/REUTERS

One of the deepest contrasts came on the pandemic with President Trump continuing to insist “we’re rounding the