The US presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden, within minutes of starting, turned into a slanging match and yelling eventually coming to personal attacks.

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Joe Biden spoke about his son Beau Biden to criticize President Donald Trump for reportedly calling members of the American military who lost their lives “losers” and “suckers.” Biden described his son, who died of cancer in 2015, as a hero.

Trump responded by focusing attention on Biden’s other son, Hunter. The president said, “I don’t know Beau. I know Hunter,” and accused Hunter Biden of having collected millions of dollars from overseas interests, including China, while working as a consultant during his father’s tenure as vice president.

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Trump also opened a new line of attack when he said Hunter Biden was dishonorably discharged from the military for cocaine use. Biden responded that his son wasn’t dishonorably discharged. He addressed viewers directly and said that, like a lot of Americans, Hunter had a drug problem but was “working on it” and had “fixed it.” Biden added, “I’m proud of my son.”

Trump interrupted to respond that his children gave up lucrative jobs to join the government and “help people,” which left moderator Chris Wallace pleading, “Mr. President, please stop” trying to restore order on the stage.

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Biden then turned to the camera and addressed the audience directly, something he did frequently Tuesday night. “This is not about my family or his family,” Biden said. “It’s about your family.”

Joe Biden’s first wife and an infant daughter died in a road accident in 1972. His two sons Beau and Hunter were critically injured but survived.