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Donald Trump

Trump Debate Quiz: What Did He Say and Why?

A review of some memorably weird moments from the Republican nominee's two encounters with Hillary Clinton

Jacob Sullum | 10.10.2016 11:45 AM

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So far the presidential debates have not been as entertaining as I hoped, but they have produced some memorably weird moments, thanks almost entirely to Donald Trump. In recognition of his contribution, here is a quiz designed to test your knowledge of what Trump said and why he said it.

Take the interactive quiz, or see the questions below the widget.


1. "It also could be somebody sitting on their bed that weighs 400 pounds," Trump said during the first debate. To whom was he referring?

a) the winner of the Miss Universe pageant

b) the hacker who swiped embarrassing emails from the Democratic National Committee

c) his pick to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia

d) people who have benefited from enrolling in Trump University

2. "I think that I've developed very, very good relationships over the last little while with the African-American community," Trump said during the first debate, "and I feel that they really wanted me to come to that conclusion." What conclusion?

a) that we need law and order in our country

b) that an aggressive stop

C-SPAN

-and-frisk program is essential to reducing gun violence

c) that politicians like Hillary Clinton pander to blacks but never keep their promises

d) that Barack Obama was born in the United States

3. "I said very tough things to her," Trump said during the first debate, "and I think everybody would agree that she deserves it and nobody feels sorry for her." To whom was he referring?

a) Rosie O'Donnell

b) Alicia Machado

c) Megyn Kelly

d) Hillary Clinton

4. "It's certainly not a nice thing that she's done," Trump said during the first debate, referring to Hillary Clinton. What did she do?

a) interrupted him

b) refused to shake his hand

c) ran campaign ads criticizing him

d) called his supporters deplorable and irredeemable

5. What did Trump call "my strongest asset, maybe by far" during the first debate?

a) Trump Tower

b) his business acumen

c) his temperament

d) his very good brain

6. "I'm a gentleman," Trump announced during the second debate. What was his evidence?

a) He never tried to talk over Clinton.

b) He let Clinton answer a question first.

c) He never actually dated his daughter.

d) He only kisses and gropes women who let him.

7. "It sounds harsh to say," Trump conceded during the second debate. What was "it"?

a) Muslims seeking to enter the United States must be subjected to "extreme vetting."

b) People living in the country without the government's permission must be deported, even if they've lived here for years and are otherwise law-abiding.

c) The United States cannot accept more refugees from Syria.

d) We have to build up the wealth of our nation.

8. "I know nothing about Russia," Trump said during the second debate. Why did he say that?

a) to explain why he keeps praising Vladimir Putin

b) to show he has no financial interest in favoring Russia

c) to illustrate the need for good foreign policy advisers

d) to draw a contrast with Clinton

9. "This is going to be the great Trojan horse of all time," Trump said during the second debate. What was he talking about?

a) Syrian refugees

b) the Trans-Pacific Partnership

c) a new way to smuggle immigrants across the border

d) an enormous wooden statue he plans to build at Greek expense

10. "I'm not un-proud of it, to be honest with you," Trump said during the second debate. What was he talking about?

a) the size of his penis

b) his new hotel in Washington, D.C.

c) his lawful avoidance of federal income taxes

d) his popularity on Twitter and Facebook

Answers after the jump.

1. b

2. d

3. a

4. c

5. c

6. b

7. d

8. b

9. a

10. d

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NEXT: UVA Prof 'Agrees' to Leave of Absence After Criticizing Black Lives Matter

Jacob Sullum is a senior editor at Reason. He is the author, most recently, of Beyond Control: Drug Prohibition, Gun Regulation, and the Search for Sensible Alternatives (Prometheus Books).

Donald TrumpPresidential DebateElection 2016
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  1. Monroe Feather, Jr.   9 years ago

    This comment section is going to have:

    A) 300 comments
    B) 500 comments
    C) 1000 comments
    D) a lot of butt-hurt

    1. That's A Bingo!   9 years ago

      Hitler?

    2. VictoriaGlover   9 years ago

      Start working at home with Google! It's by-far the best job I've had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 6-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $98 per hour. Vist this web and go to Tech tab for more info... http://www.Trends88.Com

  2. Lee Genes   9 years ago

    So Derpetologist is the new intern?

  3. Diane Reynolds (Paul.)   9 years ago

    Holy shit, there was a debate last night?

    Who won?

    1. cavalier973   9 years ago

      You did, since I infer you did not watch it.

      1. Diane Reynolds (Paul.)   9 years ago

        Must have been a shit show. Did trump "grab Clinton's pussy"?

        1. Lee Genes   9 years ago

          See for yourself

          1. Diane Reynolds (Paul.)   9 years ago

            Needs more gold chains.

        2. cavalier973   9 years ago

          I didn't watch it, either. I was watching "Casino", an exponentially more uplifting and joyful viewing experience than a Trump-Clinton debate.

          I did hear he got a good zing.

          1. Diane Reynolds (Paul.)   9 years ago

            I did hear he got a good zing.

            Yeah, Joe Pesci gets in a few in that movie.

    2. Lee Genes   9 years ago

      I'm thinking Nyarlathotep

    3. SadlyShakingHead   9 years ago

      Ken Bone

    4. Diane Reynolds (Paul.)   9 years ago

      Huh, CNN is referring to it as "the scorched earth debate".

    5. You Sound Like a Prog (MJG)   9 years ago

      AMERICA

  4. kinnath   9 years ago

    When do we get the Hillary Debate Quiz?

    1. bacon-magic   9 years ago

      Trumpkin! How dare you imply Reason has TDS!!

      1. kinnath   9 years ago

        Donald Trump is a vile and despicable man.

        Bill Clinton is a vile and despicable man.

        Hillary is a vile and despicable woman.

        I only ask that Reason treat them all with equal contempt.

        1. Citizen X   9 years ago

          I'm not sure Hillary's species has binary genders, but otherwise i agree.

        2. You Sound Like a Prog (MJG)   9 years ago

          But Trump's funnier.

          1. kinnath   9 years ago

            I'd rather grab a beer with Donnie that Hillary.

            1. GILMORE?   9 years ago

              I'd rather grab

              nudge nudge (hi-five)

            2. MikeT1986   9 years ago

              According to his Trumpness he never drinks.

              She strikes me as a Pinot or Moscato type.

              1. R C Dean   9 years ago

                Really? I'm thinking something a lot stronger.

                She probably takes pulls of vodka straight out of the bottle.

        3. Hyperion   9 years ago

          There's not enough time between now and the election for that. The Reason staff would have to write Hillary bashing articles 24/7 between now and then. It can't be done.

  5. GILMORE?   9 years ago

    Normally i "test well", but i really didn't do very well here. Is this graded on a "Give a shit" curve?

    I mean, i think if i get 1 right, that's *something*, considering all the attempts i've made to avoid actual firsthand experience hearing either candidate talk.

  6. SugarFree   9 years ago

    If you like your word salad, you can keep your word salad.

  7. BearOdinson   9 years ago

    Most of these comments, taken in context, aren't that bizarre. A couple are funny, and a couple are arguably just false (I am a gentleman). But, hardly worthy of an entire article. If this is the best Jacob can do with debate Trumpisms, he may actually pull this off.

  8. Derpetologist   9 years ago

    Not bad, Sullum, but next time, let me help you write a Spot the Not.

  9. Jerryskids   9 years ago

    Damn, I so wanted the Great Trojan Horse to be a wooden statue, and the Greeks are gonna pay for it.

    Quick question to Donald Trump - why did the Trojans build a yuuge wooden horse so famous it's actually known as a Trojan Horse? Bonus points if you mention the Roman army or Hebrew slaves in your answer.

    1. Citizen X   9 years ago

      +1 pyramid full of grain

    2. cavalier973   9 years ago

      It was the only way to keep the Muslims out of Troja.

  10. KerryW   9 years ago

    I would have thought that the answer 10(a) belonged in question 5...

    1. NoDakMat   9 years ago

      Various derivatives of "I have a yuuge penis" could also be potential answers for 3, 6, 7, and 9.

  11. lukashik   9 years ago

    While coming to education, the technology has brought many advantages to students and as well as teachers. showbox For example, students can do their homework or assignment with ease and can complete it faster by using the Internet.

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