Trump makes surprise ‘spin room’ visit to get the last word after US presidential debate

PHILADELPHIA - Minutes after being hustled by Ms Kamala Harris during their US presidential debate on Sept 10, Donald Trump appeared in front of reporters to get the last word.

As the debate drew to a close, cries of surprise went up at the entrance to the press room.

Trump had made an unexpected entrance to the “spin room”, where the candidates’ spokespeople and supporters usually hurry to distribute talking points to journalists.

Cameras and microphones in hand, dozens of reporters crowded behind thin ribbons to get as close as possible to the former president.

“What about black voters?“ a reporter asked, managing to stand out from the crowd. “I love them. They love me,” the Republican billionaire declared.

Others tried to get his opinion on the 90-minute debate, during which 59-year-old Democratic candidate Harris had launched a relentless attack.

‘Not seen that in years’

“I thought it was a great debate,” Trump said.

“I thought it was my best performance, actually, but I don’t even view it as a performance,” he added.

“Our country is in decline. We’re a nation in decline. And I thought that when we got that out, she was unable to defend it.”

Trump walked around the room, trailed by reporters, and after fielding a few questions, he finally disappeared behind black curtains.

“The fact that he showed up in the media filing centre and spin room at the end, we haven’t seen that in years,” said Mr Aaron Kall, director of debates at the University of Michigan.

“He wants to try to change the subject to something as quickly as possible.”

Both Trump and Ms Harris will be back on the campaign trail on Sept 11, with less than two months left before the election.

They will take part in separate ceremonies to honour the victims of the Sept 11, 2001, attacks. AFP