Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump and Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton faced off at the first presidential debate at Hofstra University on Monday.

According to Real Clear Politics, polls around the country have the candidates nearly tied.

Candidates discuss job growth and income inequality

Clinton stressed her desire to “build an economy that works for everyone.”

She said she wants to create more jobs in the fields such as renewable energy, small businesses and “advanced manufacturing,” raise the minimum wage and have “the wealthy pay their fair share” of taxes.

Trump spoke of his plans for keeping jobs in America.

“Our jobs are fleeing the country,” Trump said.

Trump explained that he will cut taxes for businesses from 35 percent to 15 percent in order to keep companies in the country. He compared his plan to plans from the Reagan administration.

Clinton criticized this plan as “Trumped-up, trickle-down” economics for the wealthy and stated the U.S. needs to “have smart, fair trade deals.”

Trump said the U.S. needs to “renegotiate our trade deals” and tax imports. He criticized Clinton’s support for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and said it is costing Americans jobs.

Clinton responded by addressing the Great Recession and the bursting of the housing bubble in 2008. She criticized Trump for wanting to make a profit off of the economic collapse.

“That’s called business, by the way,” Trump replied.

Candidates discuss tax returns and emails

Trump was asked when he’ll release his tax returns and said he is currently being audited, so he will release them when the audit is complete.

He added a stipulation that he “will release [his] tax returns against [his] lawyer’s wishes,” when Clinton releases her 33,000 emails.

Clinton questioned Trump’s wealth and how much federal taxes he has paid.

“Maybe he doesn’t want the American people…to know that he’s paid nothing in federal taxes,” Clinton said.

“That makes me smart,” Trump responded.

Clinton also addressed her private email server, calling it a “mistake.”

Trump called Clinton’s actions “disgraceful” and claimed her use of a private server was more than a mistake.

Candidates discuss race relations

Clinton said race determines too much in the U.S. and called for education and criminal justice reform.

Clinton and Trump both discussed the issues of better relationships with police and communities and people on the “no-fly list” being barred from buying guns.

Clinton spoke on the idea of re-training police to handle the responsibilities of the job.
Trump said “law and order” must be used to end violence.

The candidates also sparred over the constitutionality of “stop and frisk” methods, Trump in favor and Clinton against.

Candidates discuss National Security

Clinton and Trump were both asked about the cyber attacks that threaten the nation.

Clinton described the cyber warfare as a “big challenge for the next president” and placed part of the blame on independent hackers. She mentioned her concern over Russian hackers, as well as Trump’s praise for the Russian president.

Clinton said she would not want to take action against hackers, but anyone who attempts to hack the country should know the U.S. has the capacity to protect its people.

“We don’t want to engage in a different kind of warfare, but we will defend the citizens of this country,” Clinton said.

Trump defended the claim that he is unfit to run the country due to his comments about Putin. He explained that he has received endorsements from many individuals, including the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Both candidates addressed the need to defeat ISIS.

Final Words

Clinton said that she “support[s] our democracy” and will “support the outcome of the election.”

Trump stated that he has the ability to “make America great again,” but if Clinton is elected to the presidency, he will support her.

Watch the entire debate here and read the debate transcript.

Follow The Wood Word for coverage of the next debate on Oct. 9.

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