The first presidential debate of 2016 was held Monday, September 26, at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
The first presidential debate
Photos: The first presidential debate
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump shakes hands with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at the first presidential debate on Monday, September 26.
Hide Caption
1 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
NBC's Lester Holt moderated the debate, which was held at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
Hide Caption
2 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
The debate took place 43 days before Election Day. There are two more debates scheduled.
Hide Caption
3 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
Clinton, 68, is the first woman to lead a presidential ticket for one of the major political parties. She has been a U.S. senator and secretary of state.
Hide Caption
4 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
This was the first one-on-one debate for Trump, a billionaire real estate developer and neophyte politician. The 70-year-old has shattered every rule and convention in politics with his stunning presidential campaign.
Hide Caption
5 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
Clinton is clinging to a narrow lead in many national polls, but she now has almost no margin of error in the battleground states that will decide who will take the oath of office in January.
Hide Caption
6 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
Trump has been picking up momentum lately in the polls. CNN's Poll of Polls finds Clinton and Trump neck-and-neck nationally, with Clinton leading 44%-42%.
Hide Caption
7 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
Clinton answers a question during the debate.
Hide Caption
8 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
The candidates clashed repeatedly over the economy, tax cuts for the wealthy and ISIS.
Hide Caption
9 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
Trump smiles during the debate.
Hide Caption
10 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
Clinton smiles during the debate.
Hide Caption
11 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
Trump and Clinton shake hands before the start of the debate.
Hide Caption
12 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
The debate was attracting worldwide interest, with a television audience expected to approach 100 million.
Hide Caption
13 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
Clinton waves to the crowd after shaking hands with Trump.
Hide Caption
14 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
Trump's wife, Melania, shakes hands with Clinton's husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
Hide Caption
15 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
From left, in the front row, are Melania Trump; Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump; Trump's running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence; Pence's wife, Karen; retired U.S. Army Gen. Michael Flynn; and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Hide Caption
16 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
Bill Clinton, sitting next to daughter Chelsea, waves to the audience before the debate.
Hide Caption
17 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
The crowd was urged to stay quiet throughout the debate, but there was occasional applause and laughs.
Hide Caption
18 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
Trump and Clinton face off in the debate.
Hide Caption
19 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
Clinton is seen on television monitors in the media center at Hofstra.
Hide Caption
20 of 21
Photos: The first presidential debate
Trump appears on the media center screens.
Hide Caption
21 of 21
