Analysis: The psychology of Donald Trump’s debate rudeness

Could political and psychological strategists be advocating interrupting as a rhetorical weapon in the US presidential campaign? Raj Persaud reports

President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden walk on stage during the second and final presidential debate in Nashville last  Thursday. Picture: Morry Gash/AP

The US Commission on Presidential Debates muted the microphones of President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden during portions of their second and final televised encounter on October 22, in order to prevent the candidates from interrupting each other. 

The panel’s decision followed the widespread negative audience reaction to Trump’s extensive interruptions in the first debate on September 29.