Democratic debate hit with 'technical difficulties' and forced to go to advert break

President takes chance to hit out at rivals as they do the same to him

Donald Trump has attacked NBC News after technical difficulties forced the network to cut to an advert break in the middle of the first Democratic 2020 debate.

The president says the network and MSNBC should be “ashamed “ – labelling them “fake news” organisations.

As NBC’s moderator Chuck Todd asked the Democratic candidates about their plans on guns and gun control, talking could be heard in the background.

He went on to say, “I think we had a little mic issue,” and carried on with his question. The programme cut to a break with the cause of the disruption believed to be mics from previous moderators still being on backstage.

The debate – and the second on Thursday - are the unofficial start of the campaign to try and dislodge Mr Trump.

Flying to Japan for a G20 meeting, where he will concentrate on trade, Mr Trump was clearly not impressed. First he tweeted that the debate was “BORING!” before attacking the host network.

The Democrats are unified in their desire to beat Mr Trump but deeply divided on what kind of candidate is best positioned to do so.

Some candidates, like Senator Elizabeth Warren, are demanding dramatic change that includes embracing progressive priorities like free universal health care, debt-free university education and higher taxes on the rich. Others, like former vice president Joe Biden – who debates on Thursday – advocate a more steady-as-she-goes policy that could attract bipartisan support

For many of the White House hopefuls, Wednesday marked the best opportunity to share their vision with the country and chip into a political news cycle often dominated by Mr Trump.

Senator Amy Klobuchar was the first to utter Mr Trump’s name, saying a few minutes into the debate, that he “sits in the White House and gloats” while the economy isn’t working for everyone.

She also briefly referenced him again as the debate headed into its second hour. Responding to a question about US tensions with Iran, Ms Klobuchar said, “I don’t think we should conduct foreign policy in our bathrobe at 5 in the morning.”

Other candidates invoked the president’s name in making their arguments on immigration. For example, Senator Cory Booker spoke briefly in Spanish to further chastise Mr Trump’s policies, while former Texas congressman O’Rourke took a question in Spanish and answered it, saying, “We are going to treat everyone with respect.” He also said the Trump administration has focused on helping the wealthy and large corporations over everyday Americans — echoing similar sentiments of the other Democrats on stage.

Governor of Washington state Jay Inslee got in the most naked attempt at a cheer from the assembled crowd, calling President Trump the biggest national security risk to America.

However, the Trump 2020 campaign were not impressed with what was on display during the debate in Miami, Mr Trump’s 2020 campaign manager Brad Parscale tweeted: “Great night for the Trump campaign. Landslide!”. The last word a reference to what he believes Mr Trump’s victory will be like in November next year.