This is how Clinton and Trump are getting ready for the debates


Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are getting ready for Monday night's first presidential debate pretty much exactly the way you'd expect. Clinton is working with a cadre of experts and analysts and Democratic veterans to get ready to go toe-to-toe with Trump, while Trump is all but ready to go in flying by the seat of his pants.
For Clinton, it will be important to be on the offense and unnerve Trump by calling him out on his unreleased tax returns, lies, and to get a rise out of him by questioning things like his net worth. "Mrs. Clinton has concluded that catching Mr. Trump in a lie during the debate is not enough to beat him: She needs the huge television audience to see him as temperamentally unfit for the presidency, and that she has the power to unhinge him," The New York Times reports based on conversations with her allies.
Trump, who hasn't had much of an attention span for preparing for the debates, is being urged to focus on the big picture and not be provoked by Clinton calling him out on lies. "His advisers see it as a waste of time to try to fill his head with facts and figures," The New York Times writes. "Instead, they want him to practice staying focused on big-picture themes (jobs, terrorism, protecting the homeland and closing borders, 'Make America Great Again') rather than picking fights on side issues or taking the bait from Mrs. Clinton."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Clinton is spending most of the weekend practicing how to react if Trump insults her or picks at her over issues of trustworthiness or even her husband's past infidelities. Trump has waved off traditional debate preparation even as his advisers worry he's not getting the practice he needs.
Still, Clinton has a tendency to look stiff on stage and is preparing to fend off stereotypes by rehearsing how she can interrupt Trump and push him in a way that optically looks good. She also could get unnerved if repeatedly attacked on her trustworthiness and character. Trump, on the other hand, can be blatantly rude and insulting, which "could be grating during a 90-minute one-on-one debate."
Read an entire breakdown of Trump and Clinton's strengths, vulnerabilities, preparations, strategies, and mock debates at The New York Times.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 26, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - road to victory, biggest guns, and more
By The Week US
-
5 holier-than-thou cartoons about the Pope's passing
Cartoons Artists take on a new ride, an old hat, and more
By The Week US
-
Creamy kale slaw with hazelnuts recipe
The Week Recommends This slaw with a 'cracking texture' makes the perfect side that will elevate any meal
By The Week Staff
-
Judge blocks key part of Trump's elections overhaul
Speed Read Colleen Kollar-Kotelly's decision temporarily bars federal officials from requiring Americans to prove they are citizens to register to vote
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Hegseth's chief of staff joins Pentagon exodus
Speed Read Joe Kasper has stepped down, leaving the Defense Secretary 'increasingly isolated'
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
A dozen states sue Trump to halt tariffs
Speed Read The states sued in the US Court of International Trade, seeking to stop tariffs they say will damage their economies
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump blames Zelenskyy for peace deal setbacks
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected the US proposal, which includes Russia's takeover of Crimea
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Musk vows DOGE pullback as Tesla profits plunge
Speed Read The Tesla SEO says he will soon step back from government matters to devote more time to the company
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
IMF sees slump from tariffs, Trump tries to calm markets
Speed Read The International Monetary Fund predicts the U.S. and global economies will slow significantly due to the president's trade war
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
DHS chief Kristi Noem's purse stolen from eatery
Speed Read Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen while she dined with family at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump stands by Hegseth amid ouster reports
Speed Read The president dismissed reports that he was on the verge of firing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over a second national security breach
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US