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The 7 Debate Soundbites Turned into Moment Merch

Funny T-shirts inspired by the presidential candidates’ verbal barbs are already up for sale.

The first presidential debate of 2020 rapidly devolved into The Jerry Springer Show, as both President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden eschewed decorum in favor of exchanging verbal blows.

Perhaps the talk show host would have been better suited for moderating than Fox News’ Chris Wallace, who lost all control as the candidates interrupted and shouted over each other. The trash talk did produce some hilarious and controversial soundbites, which savvy screen printers have already turned into highly sought-after merchandise.

Shut Up T-shirt

Frustrated with Trump’s constant interruptions, the usually reserved Biden snapped at the president: “Will you shut up, man?” The Biden campaign instantly capitalized on the quote of the night, creating these wildly popular T-shirts. As of 2 p.m. EST, the shirts were already sold out on Biden Victory Fund’s online store. Don’t worry, there are many variations available from other vendors.

Dream Learn Do More, which makes cutesy political T-shirts, is selling an alternative T-shirt featuring one of Biden’s other comebacks: “Keep yappin’, man.”

Law and Order T-shirt

Unfortunately, Benson and Stabler didn’t appear at the debate. Instead, Trump taunted Biden for not being able to name a law enforcement group that endorses him. “The people of this country want and demand law and order, and you’re afraid to even say it,” Trump challenged, inspiring this Trump as Walker Texas Ranger tribute T-shirt on Etsy. Biden responded, “Law and order with justice, where people get treated fairly.”

Clown T-shirt

A spinoff of Barstool Sports’ Roger Goodell T-shirt from a couple of years ago, online store TeeChip replaced the NFL commissioner’s face with the president’s after Biden asked, “Folks, do you have any idea what this clown is doing?”

Philly T-shirt

“Bad things happen in Philadelphia” is the Always Sunny sequel we didn’t know we needed. Screen printer Camden Printworks has put Trump’s ominous declaration on a red T-shirt, just in case you were tired of wearing green during Eagles’ games.

Proud Boys T-shirt

In the most startling moment of the night, Trump was asked to condemn white supremacists and militia groups for adding to the violence during Black Lives Matter protests across the country. Trump responded: “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by, but I tell you what, somebody has got to do something about Antifa and the left because this is not a right-wing problem, this is a left-wing problem.” Founded in New York in 2016, Proud Boys is a white nationalist group, according to The Independent. Online store 1776.shop, which sells the group’s merchandise, quickly added “Standing By” under the Proud Boys’ logo for T-shirts.

Hot Mess T-shirt

Jake Tapper, host of CNN’s The Lead, summed up the first presidential debate of 2020 perfectly: “This was a hot mess inside a dumpster fire inside a train wreck.”

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