Donald Trump used the final debate of an unprecedented US presidential campaign to sow doubt about the country’s democratic process, saying he might not accept the results of the election.
The former reality television star needed to secure an overwhelming victory in the debate to try and stop his continuing slide in the polls. But he failed to do so, repeatedly taking the bait of his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, who had perhaps her most assured performance of the three head-to-heads.
A New York Times average of the latest polls conducted before Wednesday night’s debate had Mr Trump losing nationally by at least six percentage points, a large margin by modern standards. Over the past week – and over the objections of his own campaign manager – the Republican candidate has repeatedly said that the election has been rigged against him, without offering any proof.
During the debate in Las Vegas he twice refused to say whether or not he would accept the results if he lost. “I will look at it at the time,” Mr Trump said. “I will keep you in suspense.”
Mrs Clinton responded by describing his position was “horrifying”.
“Let’s be clear about what he is saying and what that means. He is denigrating, he is talking down our democracy. And I am appalled that someone who is the nominee of one of our two major parties would take that position,” she said.
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READ: What happened in the first US presidential debate?
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She added that Mr Trump had claimed to be the victim of rigging several times in the past, including during the Republican primaries and even when his television show The Apprentice did not win an Emmy award.
“It’s funny, but it’s also really troubling,” Mrs Clinton said, after Mr Trump responded with “Should’ve gotten it”, referring to the Emmy, and the audience laughed.
No investigation has ever uncovered significant voter fraud in the United States, and Mr Trump’s insinuations have raised fears of potential intimidation of voters by his supporters.
At several points, the Democratic candidate baited Mr Trump into unscripted outbursts that seemed to undermine any attempt for him to appeal to voters beyond his sizeable but insufficient base of working-class white voters.
While responding to a question on her economic policies, Mrs Clinton said she would raise taxes on the wealthy and that Mr Trump would have to pay more social security tax, “assuming he can’t figure out how to get out of it” – a reference to the billionaire tycoon’s own acknowledgement that he used a loophole to avoid paying income tax.
Mr Trump interrupted Mrs Clinton, saying: “Such a nasty woman.” The line was one of the most discussed of the night by commentators, who agreed it would certainly not help him gain crucial ground among female voters.
tkhan@thenational.ae
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now.
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First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Champions League Last 16
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG)
Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED)
Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG)
Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA)
Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
LIVERPOOL SQUAD
Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, Naby Keita, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Joe Gomez, Adrian, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana, Andy Lonergan, Xherdan Shaqiri, Andy Robertson, Divock Origi, Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Neco Williams
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
THE 12 BREAKAWAY CLUBS
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
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Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho