“Mike Pence won big.” That was the crux of Donald Trump’s message Tuesday night as he live-tweeted the vice presidential debate held in Farmville, Virginia.
The debate had several contentious exchanges, especially when Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine challenged his Republican counterpart, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, to defend Trump’s controversial attacks on Mexicans, Muslims and a Hispanic federal judge.
“Six times tonight I have said to Governor Pence I can’t imagine how you can defend your running mate’s position,” Kaine, a Virginia Senator, said. “He is asking everybody to vote for somebody that he cannot defend.”
Trump on Twitter mainly slammed Kaine for his positions on security, calling Clinton’s running mate “the ANTI-DEFENSE SENATOR.”
.@timkaine is the ANTI-DEFENSE SENATOR. #VPDebate #BigLeagueTruth https://t.co/qWkvGFARA1
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2016
The GOP presidential nominee also retweeted a number of users who criticized Kaine’s “looks.”
"@Jnelson52722: @realDonaldTrump @Susiesentinel Kaine looks like an evil crook out of the Batman movies"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2016
"@elisac006: @nycmia @realDonaldTrump I agree. Kaine looks like a fool!!"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2016
"@bigdog_joey: @realDonaldTrump @timkaine is so angry. Our @mike_pence looks great. kaine can't defend all those lies #makeamericagreatagain
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2016
Trump also appeared to criticize debate moderator Elaine Quijano, quoting a user who suggested the CBS anchor had interrupted Pence far more than Kaine.
"@AnyoneTennis: @timkaine Cannot believe how often the moderator interrupts #Pence vs the other guy…so obvious @FoxNews" So true!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2016
Of course, Hillary Clinton wasn’t silent either.
"We trust American women."
Thank you, @TimKaine. #VPDebate
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 5, 2016
"We support Roe v. Wade. We support the constitutional right of American women to…make their own decision about pregnancy." —@timkaine
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 5, 2016
Clinton’s camp also called out the Indiana governor for saying Trump had not praised Putin as a better leader than Obama. Pence had called the report “absolutely inaccurate.”
Clinton’s team also pointed to fact-checks that showed Pence had made similar comments to Trump praising Putin as a leader. (Kaine had slammed Putin as a “dictator.”)
Donald Trump said Putin is a better leader than President Obama. And his running mate agrees. https://t.co/kRD9vG1Wq0
— Literally Trump (@literally_trump) October 5, 2016
As for Pence’s promise to honor and build up the U.S. military, Clinton said such claims were “laughable” in the face of the longstanding mystery of Trump’s tax returns.
Mike Pence claiming that Trump supports our troops and veterans when he insults them and probably doesn't pay taxes is laughable. #VPDebate
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 5, 2016
The next debate between Clinton and Trump will be held this Sunday.