Seth Meyers marvels that Donald Trump tripped over his dirt-low debate expectations

Seth Meyers recaps the first Clinton-Trump presidential debate

(Image credit: Late Night)

Before Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton took the stage at Hofstra University on Monday night, "there was a lot of what seemed like spin about how little Trump was preparing for the debate," Seth Meyers said on Monday's Late Night, "and it turns out, he really didn't." Before the debate, "it seemed like the Trump campaign was setting expectations so low, all he would have to do is stand still for 90 minutes and he would be the winner, but in the days leading up to the debate, they were actually worried that bar may be too high."

If Trump was unprepared for the debate, "as is her style, Hillary was overprepared with one of her patented lukewarm zingers," Meyers said, referring to "trumped-up trickle down." He referenced that again when he compared Clinton to an aunt dancing to Beyoncé at a wedding. But Clinton did have to contend with a "double standard heading into the debate," he added, summarizing pre-debate advice from MSNBC: "Basically, her tasks look like advice you'd give a secretary before a job interview in 1950 — Smile and let them see you're a dynamite gal! — meanwhile, his sounds like advice you'd give a murderer at a parole hearing: They need to believe you won't kill again." Watch below for Meyers' recap of the more standout moments of the debate, including Trump's water-drinking, plea for help from Sean Hannity, and tripping over race relations. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.