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At one point, Mr. Letterman referenced broader controversies that have surrounded Mr. Trump over the years, including scrutiny of past associations that have been the subject of media reporting and legal review. Mr. Trump has denied wrongdoing in those matters, and no new information was presented at the event beyond material already in the public domain.
Throughout the exchange, the contrast in style was striking. Mr. Trump relied on emphatic rebuttals and direct challenges, while Mr. Letterman maintained a measured tone, often allowing silence to underscore his points. Supporters of Mr. Letterman described his approach as disciplined and fact-based. Allies of Mr. Trump argued that the host veered from policy discussion into personal territory, turning what could have been a substantive debate into spectacle.
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