Clinton vs Trump: The debate that could change America

They are being touted as 90 box-office minutes that could change America.

With Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump virtually tied in recent national polls, they enter their first debate as the two least popular presidential candidates in modern history.

Monday night’s debate (aired live at 1am GMT between Monday and Tuesday), which will be moderated by NBC’s Lester Holt, will see the two candidates speak on America’s direction, achieving prosperity and the country’s security.

These will be covered across six 15-minute segments before an audience at New York’s Hofstra University.

It has the potential to be a bloody battle, with a Superbowl audience of more than 100 million people forecast.

In the blue corner, a career politician, an experienced debater, trying to stem an apparent surge in popularity for her rival.

In the red corner, a reality TV star, who successfully disposed of his opponents by giving them nicknames on stage, now needs to prove he has the temperament to be commander-in-chief.

Clinton has been doing her homework – studying her rival and practising going into battle with him.

The stakes are high for both candidates, but Clinton arguably has more to lose. After her recent diagnosis of pneumonia, her appearance will also be scrutinised and Richard Nixon’s sweaty, unshaven look in the first-ever televised debate, is a potent reminder that how you look, matters.

Trump appears to be looking for a fight before he’s even stepped in the ring, taunting his opponent by threatening to bring Gennifer Flowers along, with whom Bill Clinton admitted to having a sexual relationship decades ago.

At a time when he needs to present a presidential image, it is a risky move – potentially alienating women voters.

The billionaire businessman, who has consistently railed against convention, has been taking a more relaxed, on-the-fly approach to his first ever debate.

But the Republican nominee is reported to have been watching Clinton’s “best and worst” TV moments. His TV background and ability to deliver pithy one-liners with populist appeal, could serve him well.

His biggest challenge will be staying on message. If he can do that, it may well be viewed as a victory.

In a race dominated by personality, this is a chance to debate policies, and to determine if details make a difference.