DONALD Trump was accused of "pouring fuel on every single racist fire" in America during the final US presidential debate.
“I am the least racist person in this room,” Trump told Democratic opponent Joe Biden.
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Did Joe Biden call Donald Trump racist during the debate?
Joe Biden told Donald Trump he is "one of the most racist presidents we’ve had in modern history".
He and Trump clashed on race relations during their last face-off at Tennessee's Belmont University on Thursday, October 22.
Trump replied: "[I've done] the criminal justice reform bill, prison reform, opportunity zones; I took care of Black colleges and universities."
But Biden said that "[Trump] pours fuel on every single racist fire".
He added: "Every single one. He started off his campaign coming down the escalator saying he's getting rid of those 'Mexican rapists'.
"He's banned Muslims because they're Muslims."
Biden added, in a reference to subtle, so-called dog whistle racism: "This guy has a dog whistle as big as a fog horn."
Did Donald Trump compare himself to Abraham Lincoln?
Trump, for his part, claimed his four years in office have been a time of historic improvement for African Americans.
"I'm the least racist person in this room," he said.
"Not since Abraham Lincoln has anybody done what I have done for the Black community," Trump added, referencing the US president who moved to abolish slavery in 1863.
Why did Biden call Lincoln racist?
Biden attacked Trump over his boast that no president since Abraham Lincoln has helped Black people more than he has.
"Abraham Lincoln here is one of the most racist presidents we've had in modern history,” Biden said, referencing Trump.
He added: “He pours fuel on every single racist fire. Every single one.”
Trump responded: "He made a reference to Abraham Lincoln, where did that come in?"
"You said you're Abraham Lincoln," Biden bit back.
Trump replied: "No, no. I didn't say 'I'm Abraham Lincoln'.
"I said, 'Not since Abraham Lincoln has anybody done what I've done for the Black community'."
What else was said about race during the final debate?
For viewers, it came as no surprise to hear Biden and Trump clash on race relations.
Biden noted that at his last debate, the president wouldn't condemn white supremacy and told an extremist group, Proud Boys, to stand down and stand by.
Trump portrayed himself as a champion of Black people.
The president accused Biden and former President Barack Obama of ignoring issues of racial justice.
Trump told Biden: "You've done nothing but the crime bill which put tens of thousands of Black men in jail."
Biden said that he's been trying to change drug sentencing laws which disproportionately harm African Americans and that the public knows his record.
Trump, touting criminal justice reform and opportunity zone bills he signed, replied: "I am the least racist person in this room."
The race row was kicked off when moderator Kristen Welker asked Trump about racial strife and hate in America.
She said: "Mr President, you've described the Black Lives Matter movement as a symbol of hate.
"You shared a video of a man chanting 'white power' to millions of your supporters.
"You've said that Black professional athletes exercising their First Amendment rights should be fired.
"What do you say to Americans who say that that kind of language, from a president, is contributing to a climate of hate, and racial strife?"
Trump answered: "You have to understand, the first time I ever heard of Black Lives Matter, they were chanting, 'Pigs in a blanket,' talking about police.
"That was my first glimpse of Black Lives Matter. I thought it was a terrible thing."
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He added: "I have criminal justice reform done, and prison reform, and opportunities, I took care of Black colleges and universities.
"I don't know what to say. They could say anything. I mean, they could say anything. It makes me sad. I am the least racist person.
"I can't even see the audience, because it is so dark, but I don't care who's in the audience, I'm the least racist person in this room."
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