
Hillary Clinton called Donald Trump a racist and a sexist – to his face – in brutal exchanges during the year's first presidential debate Monday night.

Her charges of racism stemmed from an age-old complaint that he had supported 'birther' conspiracies questioning Barack Obama's U.S. birth and therefore his eligibility to be president.

She also tried to frame the Republican as an unrepentant chauvinist, aided by a question from moderator Lester Holt about a one-time comment that Clinton lacked 'the look' to be president.

'This is a man who has called women pigs, slobs and dogs,' Clinton said – a similar challenge to one Trump faced more than a year ago from Fox News Channel anchor Megyn Kelly at the first GOP primary debate.

Monday he answered it a second time with a jab at an old entertainment nemesis.

'Somebody who's been very vicious to me, Rosie O'Donnell – I said very tough things to her,' Trump protested, 'and I think everybody would agree that she deserves it, and nobody feels sorry for her.'

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Hillary Clinton called Donald Trump a racist and a sexist to his face in brutal exchanges during the first presidential debate

Hillary Clinton (right) took the first swing of the first presidential debate Monday night, painting Donald Trump as a silver-spoon billionaire who built his real estate empire from a generous loan from his father

Trump 'started his business with $14 million borrowed from his father,' Clinton said, recalling her own father as a small businessman who printed drapery fabrics

Clinton blamed Trump for favoring tax policies that grant relief to business, calling it a return to 'trickle-down economics all over again'

Clinton's extraordinary race attack, though, was the most stinging and bitter moment of a debate marked by angry shouting and cross-talk between the rival candidates.

RACE: FROM HEALING AMERICA'S WOUNDS TO BOTH SIDES' 'BIRTHER' SMEARS

In a furious exchange that began as a segment about racial healing in America, Holt asked Trump about his role perpetrating the 'false claim' that Obama was born abroad – one he claimed to have settled in 2012 but which he kept publicly doubting until weeks ago.

Holt asked Trump what changed his mind, since the candidate came out and said this month that Obama was born in the U.S. after questioning his citizenship for five years.

Trump delivered one of his most disjointed answers of the night, as he tried to blame former 2008 Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle, who told CNN recently that a Clinton state volunteer had forwarded a birther email but was fired for it.

Trump also referenced longtime Clinton friend and advisor Sidney Blumenthal, but failed to explain his claim that Clinton herself was somehow involved with starting the 'birther' rumor when she ran against Obama in the Democratic primary eight years ago.

Asked why he changed his mind, Trump responded, 'Nobody was pressing it. Nobody was caring much about it. I figured you'd ask the question tonight of course.'

When he was done, Clinton pounced.

'Just listen to what you heard,' Clinton said.

'He tried to put the whole racist birther lie to bed. But it can't be dismissed that easily.'

Clinton landed the first attacks of the night by going after 'Trump up, trickle down' economics, and mentioning the loan he got from his father

Trump also referenced longtime Clinton friend and advisor Sidney Blumenthal – but failed to articulate his claim that Clinton was somehow culpable for starting the birther rumor

Clinton called Trump a racist to his face while her rival stood just feet away from her during an exchange over Trump's support of 'birther' conspiracies that Obama wasn't born in the U.S.

Clinton said Trump persisted with the birther conspiracy because some of his supporters 'either believed it or wanted to believe it'

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton greet supporters after the presidential debate

THE STANDOUT QUOTES FROM THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE CLINTON: 'He has a long record of engaging in racist behavior.' TRUMP: ‘I want to make America great again. We're losing our jobs, people are pouring into our country.’ CLINTON: 'He called this woman Miss Piggy, then he called her Miss Housekeeping because she was a Latina. Donald, she has a name.' TRUMP: 'You are going to drive business out... You are going to regulate these businesses out of existence.' CLINTON: 'I have the feeling that by the end of the evening I'm going to be blamed for everything that's ever happened.' CLINTON: 'A man who can be provoked by a tweet should not have their finger anywhere near the nuclear codes.' TRUMP: ‘I don't believe she does have the stamina. To be president of this country, you need tremendous stamina.’ CLINTON: 'As soon as he travels to 112 countries and negotiates a peace deal… he can talk to me about stamina.' TRUMP: 'Typical politician. All talk, no action. Sounds good. Doesn't work. Never gonna happen.' Advertisement

'He has really started his political activity based on this racist lie that our first black president was not an American citizen. There was absolutely no evidence for it. But he persisted,' Clinton continued.

She said Trump continued the lie because some of his supporters 'either believed it or wanted to believe it.'

Clinton also reminded Trump of a federal racial discrimination lawsuit brought against his father's real estate company in the 1970s.

'He has a long record of engaging in racist behavior,' Clinton declared.

SEXISM: FROM CLAIMING PREGNANCY IS 'INCONVENIENT' TO CALLING A WOMAN 'MISS PIGGY'

Clinton's slings on gender were almost as pointed, claiming Trump had once said 'pregnancy is an inconvenience to employers.'

'I never said that,' Trump interrupted.

'Who has said women don't deserve equal pay unless they do as good a job as men?' Clinton added.

'I didn't say that,' he objected again.

'And one of the worst things he said was about a woman in a beauty contest,' Clinton lectured.

'He loves beauty contests, supporting them and hanging around them. And he called this woman Miss Piggy, then he called her Miss Housekeeping because she was a Latina.

'Donald, she has a name. Her name is Alicia Machado, and she has become a U.S. citizen and you can bet she's going to vote this November.'

Poll Who do you think won? Hillary Clinton Donald Trump Who do you think won? Hillary Clinton 97667 votes

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'Oh really?' an indignant Trump asked, after demanding over and over to know where Clinton had heard the stories about the Venezuelan-born Machado, who won the Miss Universe title in 1996 when Trump owned the pageant.

Machado made the claims in an interview with 'Inside Edition' in May.

Trump blasted Clinton for using overheated rhetoric in campaign ads.

'Hillary is hitting me with tremendous commercials,' he complained, insisting that he wasn't about to use a pointed insult he had brought to the debate.

'You want to know the truth? I was going to say something extremely rough to Hillary, to her family, and I said to myself, "I can't do it. I just can't do it",' Trump claimed.

'It's inappropriate. It's just not nice. ... she's spent hundreds of millions of dollars on negative ads on me, many of which are absolutely untrue. They're untrue and they're misrepresentations.'

'It's hundreds of millions of ads,' Trump said, 'and the only gratifying thing is I saw the polls come in today, and with all of that money, over $200 million is spent, and I'm either winning or tied. And I've spent practically nothing'.

Trump's supporters erupted in applause.

Clinton had her own applause line, though, batting back Trump's concerns about her stamina in the Oval Office.

'As soon as he travels to 112 countries and negotiates a peace deal, a ceasefire, a release of dissidents, an opening of new opportunities in nations around the world, or even spends 11 hours testifying in front of a congressional committee, he can talk to me about stamina,' she declared.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump (right) kisses his wife Melania Trump (left) at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton met Monday night in the most hotly awaited presidential debate in modern political history

Democrat Hillary Clinton (R) and Republican Donald Trump (L) shake hands at the start of the first Presidential Debate

Clinton and Trump exchanged pleasantries and a handshake before the start of the first of three debates between the pair

Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton waves after the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton blasts Trump during a debate-watch party at The Space at Westbury

HACKING: CLINTON SAYS RUSSIA HACKED THE DNC... BUT TRUMP CLAIMS IT COULD'VE BEEN A 400-POUND LONER

The first presidential debate had quickly devolved into a contentious slugfest when Trump repeatedly cut off Clinton and she accused her rival of saying 'crazy things.'

'I have the feeling that by the end of the evening I'm going to be blamed for everything that's ever happened,' an exasperated Clinton interjected after getting repeatedly hit by Trump on taxes and trade.

'Why not?' shot back Trump in just one of his spontaneous quips.

Clinton then told her rival to 'just join the debate by saying more crazy things.'

Trump also challenged Clinton's claim that Russian state actors hacked into the Democratic National Committee, saying it could have been anyone.

Anyone including, he said, a morbidly obese loner.

'Maybe it was. It could be Russia,' Trump said of this summer's embarrassing hack attack that exposed a Democratic Party plot to deliver the presidential nomination to Clinton.

'It could also be China,' he mused.

'It could also be somebody sitting on their bed that weighs 400 pounds.'

Clinton called Trump 'praiseworthy' in his comments about Russian president Vladimir Putin, suggesting that he had invited Moscow to hack Americans.

Clinton stayed behind to greet her supporters after the first presidential debate against Donald Trump on Monday

Hillary Clinton (right) embraces her daughter Chelsea Clinton (left) at the end of the first Presidential Debate

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton joked with her daughter Chelsea Clinton after the presidential debate

Hillary Clinton shakes hands with her husband Bill Clinton and audience members after the presidential debate

Trump did suggest this summer that if Russia had already hacked into Clinton's emails from her time as secretary of state – 33,000 of which she later deleted – they should show them to the world.

Clinton said cyber warfare is 'one of their preferred methods of trying to wreak havoc and collect information.'

'We should be better than anybody else, and perhaps we're not,' Trump said of American cyber capabilities.

Clinton also blasted Trump's 'cavalier' attitude to nuclear weapons.

'His cavalier attitude about nuclear weapons is so deeply troubling,' said Clinton, reaching for one of her lines.

'A man who can be provoked by a tweet should not have their finger anywhere near the nuclear codes,' she said.

'That one's getting a little bit old,' Trump grumbled.

'It's a good one,' Clinton retorted.

TAXES: CLINTON GOES AFTER 'TRUMP UP, TRICK DOWN' ECONOMICS... AND MENTIONS LOAN FROM HIS FATHER

Earlier, Clinton landed the first attacks of the night by going after 'Trump up, trickle down' economics, and mentioning the loan he got from his father.

Trump said Clinton was going to approve 'one of the biggest tax increases in history.'

Trump slammed Clinton for backing a Pacific trade deal, which she once called the 'gold standard' but ultimately opposed.

'Well, Donald I know you live in your own reality,' Clinton shot back.

'When it was negotiated, which I was not responsible for …' said Clinton, discussing the deal backed by President Obama.

'So is it President Obama's fault?' Trump asked.

Republican Donald Trump and his wife Melania (right), who made her first public appearance since the Republican National Convention at the debate

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump kisses his wife Melania Trump after delivering his comeback lines

Donald Trump walks off the stage with his family following the presidential debate on Monday evening

Donald Trump stands with members of his family after the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead

Trump chats with members of his family after the conclusion of his first debate with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton

Right to left: Tiffany Trump, Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Rudy Giuliani look on before the start of the first presidential debate

Trump then blasted Clinton with one of his standard lines: 'Typical politician. All talk, no action. Sounds good. Doesn't work. Never gonna happen.'

Trump 'started his business with $14 million borrowed from his father,' the Democratic nominee said, recalling her own father as a small businessman who printed drapery fabrics.

She blamed Trump for favoring tax policies that grant relief to business, calling it a return to 'trickle-down economics all over again.'

'In fact it would be the most extreme version ... I call it Trumped-up trickle-down,' Clinton jabbed.

Trump fired back, saying he would give all American businesses tax breaks.

'Under my plan I'll be reducing taxes tremendously ... for companies – small and big businesses,' he said.

'That's going to be a job creator like we haven't seen since Ronald Reagan. It's going to be a beautiful thing to watch.'

Trump seemed unsure what to call Clinton at first.

'Secretary Clinton – is that okay?' he asked. 'Yes? I want you to be happy. That's very important to me.'

But minutes later he was calling her 'Hillary' as he blasted the former secretary of state for sinning her wheels for decades while America's jobs fled to Mexico and China.

'I have thought about this quite a bit,' Clinton insisted.

'Yeah, for 30 years!' Trump blasted.

'You haven't done it,' he said later.

A grinning Hillary Clinton opens the hostilities in the presidential debate with a handshake and a smile

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton

Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton (right) gestures next to Republican nominee Donald Trump during the first debate

Clinton and Trump are close in the polls and the debate kicks off the final, six-week sprint of the general election

Trump is pictured patting Clinton on the back in front of the live audience of the televised debate on Monday night

He also claimed Clinton's economic plan would put more and more American jobs on the ropes.

'You are going to drive business out... You are going to regulate these businesses out of existence,' he said.

'I'm going to cut taxes big-league, and you're going to raise taxes, big-league.'

'But you have no plan,' Trump said during their clash over jobs and trade.

'Oh I do,' shot back Clinton.

'I have written a book about it. You can pick it up tomorrow at a book store or an airport near you,' she told her opponent.

'You are going to drive business out. Your regulations are a disaster,' he interjected. 'You have regulations on top of regulations and new companies cannot form, he said.

'I'm going to cut taxes big league and you're going to raise taxes big league, end of story,' Trump told her.

Clinton and Trump each entered the debate hall on suburban Long Island within the hour of the debate's start

The first of three tug-of-war events between the two White House hopefuls is being held at Hofstra University

Hillary Clinton is fielding the first debate question from moderator Lester Holt, who asked about her plan to create better jobs for American workers

The 90-minute contest of words and wits moderated was by NBC News anchor Lester Holt (pictured)

Bill and Chelsea Clinton are seen during the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York

Holt tried to move on – but Clinton wouldn't let Trump's charge go.

'That can't be left to stand' she told the moderator,

Clinton invoked her own father several times during the debate – and tried to get Trump's goat by going after his business record, which he holds out as his top qualification for office.

He brought up his multiple bankruptcies, and mentioned specific contractors who she said got stiffed by Trump. Clinton even brought an architect who had designed one of Trump's golf courses.

'It's a beautiful facility. It immediately was put to use and you wouldn't pay what the man needed to be paid,' Clinton said.

'Maybe he didn't do a good job because I was unsatisfied with his work,' countered Trump.

Clinton then mentioned her late dad, who she said hung drapery, and asked whether those who did work for Trump 'deserve some kind of apology.'

'I am certainly relieved that my late father never did business with you,' she told the billionaire.

Trump responded only with a generality.

'Look it's all words, it's all soundbites. I built an unbelievable company,' he said.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (center) talks with his daughter Chelsea Clinton prior the first presidential debate

From left, Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Mike Pence, Karen Pence, retired Gen. Michael Flynn, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani watch the debate

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton greets Melania Trump ahead of the start of the first debate on Monday night

'On occasion, four times we used certain laws that are there,' Trump said of bankruptcy filings.

'First of all they did get paid a lot,' he said of his contractors. 'I take advantage of the laws of the nation because I'm running a company,' he explained.

BUT WILL THEY ACCEPT THE RESULT? CLINTON SAYS YES... AND TRUMP EVENTUALLY CONCEDES HE WILL 'ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT HER'

Holt used his final question to ask both candidates whether they would accept the outcome of the election.

The candidates have pulled nearly even in some national polls, and Trump has called the system 'rigged,' leading to speculation there could be a contested election if the outcome is close.

'I support our democracy. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose but I certainly will support the outcome of this election,' Clinton responded.

Trump, when asked the same question, at first used the opportunity to get in his 'Make America Great again' slogan.

Holt followed up, and Trump once again repeated his slogan. But then he added: 'If she wins, I will absolutely support her.'

Clinton avoided making headlines with physical maladies just two weeks after collapsing at a 9/11 memorial service.

There were no signs of her pneumonia and no indication of her being unsteady on her feet.

Trump, though, had the sniffles – and people in the auditorium could hear it.

Late at night Clinton took the stage at her watch party at the Space at Westbury, an event space in the town near to Hofstra University, telling supporters she had a ‘great debate.'

‘Do you feel good tonight? Well, I sure do,’ she said.

She spoke for about four minutes to 550 people who watched the debate there.

Clinton took the stage at her watch party at the Space at Westbury, an event space in the town near to Hofstra University, telling supporters she had a ‘great debate.'

Clinton entered to 'Aint No Mountain High Enough’ and said: ‘Well, it was an amazing experience. And I am so happy we had this opportunity for the first presidential debate right here in New York at Hofstra University'

Clinton appeared on stage with Bill Clinton and New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, a liberal Democrat, who claimed she ‘won hands down’.

Clinton entered to 'Aint No Mountain High Enough’ and said: ‘Well, it was an amazing experience. And I am so happy we had this opportunity for the first presidential debate right here in New York at Hofstra University.

‘We’ve got two more debates and we’ve got more time before the election. And we can't take anybody anywhere for granted. So, I came to thank you -- thank you for everything you’ve done.’

She added: ‘So I’m going to do everything that I can. My husband Bill is going to do everything he can.’

Bill Clinton, standing stage-right with Cuomo, flashed a thumbs up to the crowd. The couple were then driven back to their Chappaqua home. She is due back on the trail on Tuesday.

Trump and Clinton met on Monday night in the most hotly awaited presidential debate in modern political history.

'How are you, Donald?' Clinton asked her Republican foe as she crossed the stage to shake his hand.

Donald Trump shared a message with his Snapchat followers while standing with his family ahead of the televised debate

Republican Vice presidential nominee Mike Pence (left) takes his seat with his wife Karen Pence before the debate

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (right) and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani chat as they take their seats

The first of three tug-of-war events between the two White House hopefuls was held at Hofstra University on New York's Long Island.

It was a 90-minute contest of words and wits moderated by NBC News anchor Lester Holt.

Organizers from the Commission on Presidential Debates instructed the live audience Monday night not to cheer or applaud their favorite candidates.

Both the Clinton and Trump campaigns got tickets to distribute. Most of Trump's went to members of his family including his wife and adult children, and their spouses.

Melania Trump and former President Bill Clinton met for a gracious handshake at the foot of the stage in the final minutes before the broadcast began.

Trump also invited Mark Geist, a survivor of the 2012 terror attack in Benghazi, Libya – a defining moment in Clinton's tenure as secretary of state.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn, two Trump advisers, were seated up front near the stage.

A Green Party supporter protests near Hofstra University waving a sign that reads: 'My vote is not a protest vote'

People with the Fight for 15 campaign and Black Lives Matter protest near Hofstra University, the site of the first Presidential Debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Tump

Police on Long Island said about 2,000 protesters gathered outside the debate hall - and were confined to an area several blocks long

Gary Johnson supporter Marissa Lake holds an anti-Trump sign near Hofstra University on Long Island on Monday night

His claque also includes Don King, a colorful and controversial former boxing promoter who has been his bridge to the African-American community in the critical swing state of Ohio.

In addition to husband Bill and daughter Chelsea, Clinton invited a domestic violence survivor – and a cerebral palsy patient who criticized Trump after he was accused last year of mocking a disabled journalist.

She also brought Mark Cuban, the billionaire Dallas Mavericks owner who has sparred with Trump this year after initially warming to his campaign in 2015.

Cuban said before Monday's debate that he wouldn't apologize for airing multiple seasons of a pornographic 'Girls Gone Wild' reality show on his cable TV network, despite his status as a high-profile backer of the feminist and ground-breaking Clinton.

A live audience of about 1,000 people gathered to watch the first Clinton-Trump debate, with a television audience predicted to reach as high as 100 million Americans.

Meanwhile, police on Long Island said about 2,000 protesters gathered outside the debate hall - and were confined to an area several blocks long.

Some of the diverse groups protesting Monday night's showdown at Hofstra University included Hardhats for Hillary, socialists and activists calling for a living wage, and Green Party supporters.

Nassau County police say 24 people have been arrested on mostly disorderly conduct charges. Police gave no other details on the arrests.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie takes a selfie before the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead

Clinton's campaign chairman John Podesta (left) talks with with Rev. Jesse Jackson (right) prior to the start of the debate

Businessman Mark Cuban, who revealed he was invited to attend the debate by Clinton, arrives to watch the face-off

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (left) and Rev. Jesse Jackson (right) speak before the first Presidential Debate

Boxing promoter Don King, right, poses with a guest before the presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead

Chief Executive of Las Vegas Sands Corporation Sheldon Adelson sits with his wife Miriam waits for the presidential debate

The empty stage of the first presidential debate at Hofstra University's David & Mack Sport and Exhibition Complex in Hempstead, New York

U.S. Secret Service agents stand on the debate floor before the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead

People find their seats ahead of the Presidential Debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump at Hofstra University