For the past month or so, the Presidential Debates has had a huge impact on the election. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton’s performances have been watched by many American voters.

The first debate was held on September 26 at Hofstra University, and was moderated by Lester Holt host of NBC Nightly.

At this debate, the Republican and Democratic presidential nominees were fact checked in various statements. For instance, Trump stated that “I did not support the war in Iraq … The record shows that I’m right,” but according to Politifact, in 2002, when asked if America should go into Iraq, he said “I guess so.”

On the other hand, Hillary Clinton stated that Donald Trump has not paid federal income tax. Politifact states that Trump’s income tax was public in 1970 and showed five years, but for two of the five years, he paid no federal income tax.

The debate was heated and had everyone anticipating the second debate.

On October 9, the second debate was moderated by Anderson Cooper, of CNN, and Martha Raddatz, of ABC News. The debate was town-hall style, where undecided voters were able to ask the candidates about their concerns.

At this debate, the main issue was on Donald Trump’s comments against women. Trump had invited four women, who accused Bill Clinton of sexual assault, to sit in the audience during the debate. At first, Trump stated that he had avoided to discuss Bill Clinton’s past affairs in respect to Chelsea Clinton.

Some questions concerned the candidate’s behavior and other questions were about foreign policies. Nevertheless, the real winner of the debate was Ken Bone, who the internet fell in love with after his concerned question on energy.

But the best question of the night was the last, in which an undecided voter asked what the candidates liked most about the other. Clinton said that she admired Trump’s children.

Trump said that he likes her persistence and tenacity, contradicting his comment from the last debate. In where he said that Clinton lacked the “stamina” to be president.  

On October 19, Chris Wallace, a Fox News anchor, moderated the last brawl between the candidates at University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The debate started out heavy on the topic of abortion and Roe v. Wade, moving towards gun control and immigration. During the last debate, both candidates cemented their platforms on all the main issues.

Donald Trump called out Clinton, saying that she was “for the wall.” Trump also called Clinton, “such a nasty woman.” Clinton, on the other hand,  called Trump a “puppet” for Putin. But Trump fired back, saying “you’re the puppet.” In the impromptu closing speeches, Donald Trump argued that a vote for Hillary is another four years of Obama. Hillary Clinton argued that she had been representing children and families her entire life and had made it her mission. As Chris Wallace put it, “now the decision is up to you.”

Here are some of the most important issues discussed and the candidates view towards them.  

Gun Control

Trump argued at the last debate that gun control increased the crime rate in Chicago. But, according to a ThinkProgress article entitled “No, Chicago Isn’t Proof That Gun Regulation Doesn’t Work,” “…there’s simply no credible evidence that wider gun ownership or looser gun laws reduce crime.” Clinton argued that she was in favor of the Second Amendment, but disagreed with the broadness of the District of Columbia v. Heller 2008 Supreme Court case ruling. The case ruling decided that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to bear arms for self defense.

Immigration

On the topic of immigration, Trump stated that Clinton was in favor of the wall on the southern border. Clinton reported that there was a need for a stronger immigration system so that criminals are kept out of our country. Clinton also supports helping illegal immigrants, who exemplify American citizen stature, for a pathway to citizenship. 

Relationships with Russia

Trump stated that “Putin has outsmarted her and Obama in every way” and that Russia has taken over the Middle East. The question relates to Syria and Russia’s involvement in Aleppo. Aleppo is a city in Syria close to the Turkish border. Aleppo has been the center of attacks.  Trump was criticizing both our involvement and lack of involvement in the Middle East. In addition, Trump stated how Clinton was responsible in this matter.

Nuclear Weapons

On numerous occasions, Trump has asked, “if we have them (nuclear weapons), why don’t we use them?” Clinton stated that ten members of the National Military Command Center, have said that they do not trust Trump with the nuclear codes. Clinton has made it a point that someone who can be provoked by Twitter fights, should not have “their hands on the nuclear codes.”

The Economy

“I think when the Middle Class thrives, the economy thrives,” Clinton said at the last debate. Trump criticized her economic plan, saying that it would increase taxes on the middle class. Clinton was quick to explain that her plans would be paid for by the top 1%. Trump stated during his closing statement, that his solution to the debt crisis is to create tremendous jobs. He also criticized the job progress in America, but according to CNN Money, “U.S. job growth is solid in September.”

Trade

Trump stated that he would “renegotiate NAFTA or make a new trade deal,” which is an issue for Congress, not the President. The North American Free Trade Agreement is an agreement under the Bill Clinton Administration that set rules for international trade. It became an issue when the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) came to light, which writes rules for global trade.

National Debt

The GDP or Gross Domestic Product (the measure of a nation’s total economic activity) is  77%, the highest since after WWII. Trump’s plan would raise up to 105%. Trump hopes in “bringing it from 1% up to 4%,” making America a “tremendous economic machine.” According to Trump, the purpose of this plan is to bring jobs back to America.

In contrast, Clinton’s proposition would raise about 80%. Clinton believes in what economists call “middle out growth.” The “middle out growth” is where the middle class prospers which makes the economy prosper as well. Clinton’s plan would not “add a single penny to the national debt” because it would raise taxes for the top 1%.

Fitness to be President

“They hired and paid people 1500 people to protest at rallies,” Trump blamed Clinton’s campaign. He states that they “go out and start fistfights and start violence.” The issue is that Alex Jones, a conservative radio talk show host, said that he would pay people to wear a T-shirt which had a picture of Bill Clinton and the words “Rapist” under them to a Clinton Rally. His website states, “anyone can earn a bounty of up to $5k for calling out the former president on his multiple rape accusations.” The site also states, “The campaign, launched on Alex Jones’ September 30 weekday radio broadcast, has tasked willing participants with appearing on national television for five seconds donning apparel branding former President Bill Clinton a rapist, preferably the shirt sold at the Infowars Store, for a payout of $1000.”

Clinton compared her 30 years in politics to Trump’s 30 years outside politics, in which she stated that as he was working on TV shows or calling former Miss USA winners crude names, she was serving as First Lady and working for the Children’s defense.

Rigging the Election

Donald Trump recently claimed that the election was rigged due to his dropping numbers. During the last debate, moderator Chris Wallace asked if he would accept the election results. Trump replied, saying, “I will look at it at the time.” This prompted Clinton to call his response “horrifying.”

Clinton also mentioned that when Donald Trump’s TV show, Celebrity Apprentice, did not win an Emmy, he called the Emmys rigged, as well. Trump then said that it was true and he should have won.

Aleppo

“Have you seen it? Have you seen it?” Trump said. He was discussing the Syrian city of Aleppo, which has been an issue because of the countries bombing Aleppo. An image of a 4-year-old boy covered in blood and dirt, sitting in the back of an ambulance showed the horror of the Aleppo war zone. During the debate, Trump called the city “fallen.”

ISIS  

Trump commented that tens of thousands of Syrian refugees “who are definitely ISIS-aligned” are in our country. Clinton pointed out that “the Pulse night shooter was born in Queens like Donald.” Trump also blamed Clinton and Obama for the creation of ISIS, a statement that he has previously called “sarcasm.”

Healthcare and Social Security

Trump said that health insurance premiums were increasing by “60,70,80 percent,” and that “next year, they’re going to go up over 100 percent,” but as reported by The New York Times, that is an “overstatement.” Increases of 80 percent or more are rare and federal subsidies assist in paying them for most consumers.

Clinton stated that she wants to put “more money in social security “and “increase the benefits for low income workers.”