On reports that he had paid only $750 in federal taxes in 2016, US President Donald Trump said that he had actually paid “millions of dollars” in taxes. He was speaking at the first presidential debate, in a face-off with Democratic candidate Joe Biden, that turned into a slanging match within minutes of the start call.

When moderator Chris Wallace of the Fox News asked a pointed question, “How much did you pay? Is it true you paid $750 in taxes in 2016?” Trump retorted, “I paid millions of dollars in tax returns.”

To this Biden asked, “Show us the tax returns.” At this point Trump said, “go to the board of elections…” and then diverted the debate going into his business details and that he was “totally under leverage”

The question on taxes was triggered by The New York Times report that said, “He (Trump) had paid no income taxes at all in 10 of the previous 15 years – largely because he reported losing much more money than he made.” The report added that he paid only $750 in federal income taxes in 2016.

Through the debate  — that was divided into several segments to discusss the Supreme Court nominee, COVID-19, economy, healthcare etc — Trump often spoke over his opponentand even the moderator. He, on several occasions, would not let Biden finish his sentences forcing Wallace to say, “Mr President, will you let him finish…” To this Biden quipped, “He doesn’t know how to do that”.

The two candidates entered the stage at the same time and smiled as the moderator explained they would not shake hands. “How you doing, man?” Biden said, extending his arms towards Trump.

The presidential debate is on at Cleveland, Ohio, the venue has changed from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana because of concerns over coronavirus precautions.

The two presidential candidates will hold three debates before the November 3 vote. On October 15, a second presidential debate will be held in Miami after getting shifted from the University of Michigan. The third will take place in Nashville on October 22.