5 WTF Moments From The Second Presidential Debate

Trump claims he respects women, threatens Clinton with jail time, and more moments from Sunday’s presidential debate

Time for round two of the presidential debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Tonight’s debate was held at Washington University, in St. Louis, Missouri. Unlike the first debate, this event was held town hall style, in which audience members asked questions along with moderators Anderson Cooper and Martha Raddatz.

Trump has had a rough week in the polls. Not only have his tax documents been leaked, but a 2005 recording from an appearance on Access Hollywood has seriously damaged his standing. In the hot mic recording, Trump graphically described how he would sexually assault a woman. He also detailed previous encounters with women. In response, Republican leaders have either condemned his comments or withdrawn their support entirely.

Since Friday, Trump has spent much of his time doing damage control rather than debate prep. He had previously been disdainful of practicing, despite a less than ideal showing at the first presidential debate.

Another set of Hillary Clinton’s emails were released, this time regarding the contents of paid speeches she had refused to release earlier. This was referenced in the debate, in which an audience member questioned Clinton’s comments on a politician’s “private” versus “public” opinions. However, thanks to Trump’s troubles, Hillary appears so far to have escaped a negative reaction in the polls.

Read on for five of the most noteworthy moments from tonight’s event.

ST LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 09: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump listens during the town hall debate at Washington University on October 9, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. This is the second of three presidential debates scheduled prior to the November 8th election. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

1.) Trump initially looked subdued, couldn’t stay on track

Donald Trump came out looking tired and sounding out of sorts. Almost as if something has been keeping him up for the past two days. Whatever could that be?

Trump also had difficulty keeping on track with questions. It’s often considered par for the course that a politician will try to redirect the course of a debate or conversation, especially when the discussion begins to skirt uncomfortable topics. However, Trump seemed especially prone to rambling. A question about the 2005 recording somehow led to him discussing the terrorist group ISIL, while also muttering “Make America Great Again” like it is a worn out talismanic phrase.

Generally, Trump was not afraid to complain about the amount of time given to him to respond. He also complained about “three against one”, referring Clinton and the moderators (Cooper and Raddatz) supposedly working against him.

ST LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 09: Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump listen during the town hall debate at Washington University on October 9, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. This is the second of three presidential debates scheduled prior to the November 8th election. (Photo by Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images)

2.) Trump threatens Clinton with legal action and jail time when he’s president

Trump responded to Clinton’s questioning of his character with a scenario from a fantasy world where he wins the election. In it, he would sic the Attorney General on Clinton. This is despite the fact that her (admittedly shifty) email fiasco has been cleared by the current Attorney General. This sets forth a worrisome precedent where a Trump presidency sees all his political opponents prosecuted and put in jail. That has never, ever, ever turned out to be a horrifying situation in any other human society, ever.

ST LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 09: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump gestures during the town hall debate at Washington University on October 9, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. This is the second of three presidential debates scheduled prior to the November 8th election. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

3.) Trump mansplains “radical Islamic terrorism” to a Muslim woman, generally holds forth on previously terrible statements regarding Muslim people

Trump, who once called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims” early on in his campaign, told a female Muslim audience member that Muslim people would still be targeted. He advocated for “extreme vetting”. He called immigration of Muslim people a “trojan horse”, playing on the common themes of fear and paranoia that have colored his campaign for months.

Clinton claimed that Trump’s statements regarding Muslims have been destructive and may have even pushed people to join terrorist groups. She said, “We are not at war with Islam. It plays into the hands of the terrorists to act as though we are.”

ST LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 09: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump (L) speaks as Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton listens during the town hall debate at Washington University on October 9, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. This is the second of three presidential debates scheduled prior to the November 8th election. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

4.) Trump tries to claim that “locker room talk” doesn’t compare with Bill Clinton’s history with women

Whether you think Bill Clinton is fairly or unfairly accused of assaulting women, remember that Hillary Clinton is running for president. Married women are human beings who can operate independently of their spouses. They do not share a mind or a single body with their spouse. “[Bill] gets to run his campaign any way he chooses,” Clinton said in reference to her husband.

Trump also said that “Nobody has more respect for women than I do,” which almost made me fall out of my chair.

ST LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 09: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump listens during the town hall debate at Washington University on October 9, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. This is the second of three presidential debates scheduled prior to the November 8th election. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

5.) Trump admits to not paying taxes for years

When directly asked if he used a massive tax loss in the 1990s to avoid paying subsequent taxes, he replied, “Of course I do. Of course I do.”

He went on to accuse Clinton of not changing the tax code herself, without trying to justify his own issues with taxes, bankruptcy, and other economic problems that have plagued him throughout his career.

How both performances will translate into poll numbers will play out over the next few days. That said, Trump was again scrambled and combative, while Clinton appeared more composed and prepared. It certainly doesn’t help that voters and politicians both have reacted very negatively to Trump’s 2005 comments.

Bonus Moment: Trump’s Generally Creepy Behavior While Hillary Talked

Trump may have been better prepared for this debate, but no one taught him to go sit down after his turn speaking and stay there to avoid awkward visual moments like this one.

Next: Trump Anxiety Disorder and the Change Election

One more month and one more presidential debate stands between us and election day. Cuddle a cute animal, drink a fortifying beverage of your choice and hold strong until then. Good luck, everyone.