The second presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in St. Louis was one for the history books. Catch up on all the highlights right here:
Energy and the environment
A town hall guests asks about energy policy — and how it might affect the environment.
Trump says "energy is under siege by the Obama administration" and that Clinton wants to put coal miners out of business. He says he will lift regulations in energy companies — and says little about the environment.
Clinton says Trump has put steelworkers out of business by buying steel that China has dumped in the United States. She says she would promote a variety of energy sources, including "clean energy" programs that can fight climate change.
— David Jackson
Supreme Court
An audience member asks about the Supreme Court.
Clinton says she wants justices "who understands the way the world really works."
She says she wants the court to maintain abortion rights and marriage equality, while Trump backs judges who would reverse those rulings.
Trump noted that the next president will be able to change the court, starting with the replacement of deceased Justice Antonin Scalia. He talks about the importance of the Second Amendment.
— David Jackson
Divided nation — and election
As it began, this debate is ending on a bitter note.
Trump again hit Clinton for her "deplorables" comment, saying: "Believe me — she has tremendous hate in her heart ... she's got tremendous hatred."
Asked whether Trump has the temperament to be president, Clinton said, "no."
"I'm shocked to hear that," Trump replied.
— David Jackson
Presidential Debate - St. Louis
All the people
Trump is asked: Can you be president of ALL of the people?
"Absolutely," Trump says, taking the opportunity to hit Clinton over her comment that half of Trump supporters belong in a "basket of deplorables."
Trump also says he will help the inner cities, something Clinton and the Democrats only talk about doing.
Clinton talks about her 30 years in public service and says she wants to help all Americans "find a place" in the country — something some people fear about her opponent.
"Maybe they wouldn't have a place in Donald Trump's America," Clinton says.
Clinton says she regrets her deplorables comment: "My argument isn't with his supporter — it's with him."
— David Jackson
Syria — and Russia
What to do about the Syrian civil war — and the refugees?
Clinton says the situation is "catastrophic" and attacks Russia for its activity in Syria. She proposed a no-fly zone and safe zones in the country, and closer cooperation with allies on the ground — save Russia, which she again says wants Trump to win the presidency.
Trump accuses Clinton of Syria policies adopted AFTER she left the State Department.
Clinton "talks tough," Trump says, but she and the Obama administration have created "messes" in the Middle East.
Trump also defends Russia, saying it wants to kill ISIS — and, for good measure, publicly disagrees with running mate Mike Pence's criticism of Russia.
Says Trump: "He and I haven't spoken, and I disagree."
— David Jackson
Trump, the lurker?
While the format allows movement by the candidates around the stage, some of the movements by Trump lurking behind Clinton as she answered questions were just well, weird.
— Donovan Slack
Throwdown on taxes
Trump says he will reduce taxes and eliminate loopholes that benefit him — giving Clinton a chance to hit him over reports he may not have paid federal income taxes for nearly two decades.
Trump also seems to confirm a New York Times report that he used a massive income loss in 1995 to write off taxes for years — a provision many Clinton supporters have also used.
The New York businessman says he understands the tax laws better than any other candidate.
Trump says Clinton will raise taxes, but Clinton says he is lying because "he lives in an alternative reality."
Clinton says her tax plan will benefit the middle class, while Trump is looking out for the rich.
"Donald always takes care of Donald and people like Donald," she says.
The two also argued again over taxes and Clinton's career. "Here we go again," Clinton said at one point.
— David Jackson
The Russia case
Clinton uses a question to raise questions about Trump's relations with Russia, and its alleged efforts to influence the election — and adds that he should release his tax returns to show if he has business relations with the Russians.
Trump calls Clinton's claims "ridiculous" and says Clinton is upset because leaked documents show she has lied.
And, no, he won't release his tax returns until after an audit, Trump says.
— David Jackson
A Muslim question
A Muslim voter asks about discrimination.
Trump said Islamophobia is "a shame," but the nation does face threats from "radical Islamic terror." He defends increased scrutiny of Muslim immigrants.
"Whether we like it or not, there is a problem," Trump says.
Clinton hammers Trump for "divisive, dark things" he has said about Muslims, and said his "demagogic rhetoric" undermines cooperation with Muslim nations, helping terrorists.
On a follow-up, Trump said his proposed Muslim ban has now "morphed" into what he calls "extreme vetting" of migrants.
Clinton said migrants are in fact heavily screened, and the US should take in more Syrian refugees from a "horrific war."
Clinton hits Trump on his proposed Muslim ban, saying the U.S. should not have a "religious test."
— David Jackson
Obamacare — and intimidation
After a health care question, Clinton explains her position — with Trump standing behind her, mugging her answers.
Clinton criticizes Trump's plan to repeal Obamacare, saying that would eliminate all of its good features.
Trump responds: "Obamacare is a disaster — we all know it." He pitches a more decentralized health care plan, while saying Clinton wants a "single payer" plan totally run by the federal government.
Hillary is called upon to defend her husband, ex-president Bill Clinton — over his comment that Obamacare is a "crazy system."
Mrs. Clinton said the ex-president "clarified what he meant" and that they want to fix problems in the system but keep the basics intact.
Says Trump: "Everything is broken about it."
— David Jackson
It's apparent this will be the nastiest debate in presidential history ...
Clinton says it's a good thing that someone with Trump's temperament won't have control of law enforcement.
Trump shot back: "Because you'd be in jail."
Clinton again calls her private email system a mistake but says she has been careful with classified information.
Trump calls Clinton a liar and adds: "You should be ashamed of yourself."
Clinton tells Trump he only wants to change the subject: "I know you're into big diversion tonight."
— David Jackson
Shut it down!
The audience, which had been instructed by moderator Martha Raddatz to keep quiet, couldn’t seem to help itself, but Raddatz was having none of it.
Trump has been arguing with the debate moderators all night. At one point, in a retort to Anderson Cooper, Trump described the debate as "one on three."
— Donovan Slack and David Jackson
The birther issue comes up
Clinton hits Trump for the "racist lie" about President Obama's birthplace and says he owes the president an apology.
Trump suggests — without evidence — that Clinton started the birther movement, and she owes the apology.
For good measure, Trump says he will appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Clinton's private emails.
Clinton responds: "Everything thing he said is absolutely false — but I'm not surprised."
— David Jackson
The Trump tape
Anderson Cooper goes there, asking Trump about the newly released tape.
Trump denies the suggestion he was endorsing sexual assault. He again apologizes for his comments but downplays them as "locker room talk."
He adds: "I have great respect for women — nobody respects women more than I do."
Clinton also gets the question, and she says the tape again proves Trump is unfit for the presidency. "Donald Trump is different," she says, and the tape proves Trump is a man who doesn't like or respect women, not to mention immigrants, Muslims, and others.
"Yes, this is who Donald Trump is," she said.
Trump replies to Clinton's attack: "It's just words, folks, just words." He attacks Clinton's record as U.S. senator, and is cut off — much to his annoyance.
Trump goes there after another tape question, going after Bill and Hillary Clinton.
"Bill Clinton was abusive to women," Trump said. "Hillary Clinton attacked those women."
Clinton said Trump made many false statements but can run his campaign however he sees fit.
As for her: "When they go low, you go high."
She also pointed out that Trump never apologizes for his transgressions.
— David Jackson
Yep, it’s all about Trump
As the debate started, the folks over at Facebook culled the topics received the most buzz on the site, and here’s how they stack up.
1. Trump Tape
2. Wikileaks Release
3. Crime & Criminal Justice
4. Government Ethics
5. Iraq, Syria & ISIS
— Donovan Slack
Good behavior
Right off the bat, a town hall questioner asks about the negative behavior in the campaign.
Clinton goes the high way, saying she has "a very positive and optimistic view" of the country, and wants to "heal' it.
Trump says "I actually agree with that" — and, while subdued, goes after "horrible things" like Obamacare, the Iran nuclear agreement and bad trade deals.
No personal attack on Clinton (or her husband) however.
— David Jackson
The first NSFW debate?
America apparently won’t have to wait long — the first set of questions tonight will be about the Trump tape, the recording that has the political world all atwitter and Republicans withdrawing support for their nominee in droves.
CNN, whose Anderson Cooper is co-moderating with Martha Raddatz of ABC News, reports both candidates will be asked about the 2005 recording, in which Trump was caught on a hot microphone speaking vulgarly about pushing himself on women.
"While everything is subject to change until air time, an ABC source said — perhaps confirming the obvious — that Trump and Clinton will both be prompted to address the matter.
"A coin toss by the Commission on Presidential Debates determined that Clinton will speak first."
The format will be a town hall, with an audience of undecided voters chosen by Gallup also asking questions. The subjects will be "topics of broad public interest." So basically anything goes.
The prospect of gutter topics dominating a presidential debate for the first time had more than a few folks on Twitter discussing whether children should be allowed to watch.
What do Americans actually want to hear about?
On PresidentialOpenQuestions.com, where Americans submitted and voted on which questions they want the moderators to ask tonight, there are some clear favorites. Tonight's moderators have said they would consider asking questions from the site. Here’s the top five questions as of 7 p.m. ET:
1. How will you ensure the 2nd amendment is protected? (147,816 votes)
"Too much crime is blamed on the tool, not the person. How will you protect law abiding citizens to protect themselves."
2. Would you support requiring criminal background checks for all gun sales? (131,955)
"My son was murdered by someone who should have never had a gun. Gaps in our current system make it easy for felons & other dangerous people to buy guns online & at gun shows, no questions asked."
3. Do you support expanding, and not cutting, Social Security's modest benefits? (46,551)
"We can easily afford to protect & expand Social Security by requiring the wealthiest Americans to contribute at the same rate as the rest of us."
4. As president, what are the steps you will take to address climate change? (46,110)
"Climate change is the greatest existential threat facing the country and the world today. What are three things you will do as President to address the challenges posed by a warming planet?"
5. Would you act to repeal Citizens United? (44,462)
"Take the insane amount of money out of the election process."
— Donovan Slack
#TrumpTapes killing it on social
Data from the folks at Google shows Trump led searches of the two major-party candidates with 81%, compared with Clinton’s 19% over the past 24 hours.
Of the phrase “Donald Trump on _______” the word “women” was the most searched word. “Howard Stern” came in second and “Tiger Woods” came in third.
Aside from Friday’s tape, CNN posted audio on Saturday of Trump’s conversations with Stern, the shock-jock. The conversations touched on a variety of topics, but Trump described women (including his own daughter) in vulgar terms. One of the topics discussed was Tiger Woods’ marital infidelities.
Since Friday, the controversy has garnered 28.2 million posts, likes and shares by 8.5 million users on Facebook. And over on Twitter, users tweeted the hashtag #TrumpTapes more than 1 million times.
It is the second-most-talked-about moment of the election this year on Twitter. The most talked about (so far) was the first presidential debate.
— Eliza Collins
