The second presidential debate, a tense conclusion to a week of conflict and controversy, ended on an ironic note: the two divisive candidates were asked to say something they liked about each other.

        Compliments have been a rarity in this election cycle, which has been noted for its harsh tone and fragmented politics – especially in recent weeks.

Two days prior to the debate – Friday Oct. 7 – was an eventful day in the election cycle. In the late afternoon, a video was released of Trump making lewd comments about women in 2005. This sparked many top Republicans to revoke their endorsement of Donald Trump, including Ohio senator Rob Portman. Portman had previously endorsed Trump, but had not campaigned with him. Trump issued an apology for the video later that night, but his comments were still not well-received and continued to plague him in the days and weeks to come.

        On the same day as Trump’s comments, Wikileaks, an international non-profit organization that publishes secret information, began releasing emails among other items from Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Wikileaks even released transcripts from speeches Clinton gave to major banks in which she contradicted many of her policies that she had previously expressed to voters.

These occurrences are not the first controversies to arise in this unusual election cycle.

Trump has become well known for many of the comments he has made against specific groups of people such as women, African Americans, Mexicans and Muslims. He has even been called “a lunatic” by many including Former Democratic National Committee chair and ex-Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.

Clinton has been characterized as extremely calculating and even “a criminal” in some situations for her email scandal. Trump has emphasized these claims, even saying that “[Hilllary would] be in jail” if he becomes president.

So, when Clinton and Trump were asked to say something positive about one another at the debate on Sunday, Oct. 9, the debate hall erupted in laughter.

        Clinton was the first to answer the question. She said, “Look, I respect his children. His children are incredibly able and devoted, and I think that says a lot about Donald.”

        Trump answered next by saying, “She doesn’t quit. She doesn’t give up. I respect that. I tell it how it is. She’s a fighter.”

        These kind words were surprising to many after the contentious debate, and the weeks and months leading up to it.

        Since Oct. 9, the race has become even more combative. While Clinton has gained in the polls, with some even having her more than ten points up over Trump nationally, controversy still rages.

        Several women have accused Trump of sexually harassing them in the past. Trump has responded by bringing women who have accused Bill Clinton of sexually harassing them to his rallies and even the debate itself.

        Possibly most notably, Trump and his supporters have also claimed that the election could be “rigged” if Clinton wins. Trump tweeted, “The election is absolutely being rigged by the dishonest and distorted media pushing Crooked Hillary – but also at many polling places.”

Many Walnut students consider these ideas dangerous.

“I’m hoping that people will be sane enough to not riot,” SENIOR Rebecca Zavon said, when asked if Trump supporters would riot if Hillary wins.

If Trump wins, Zavon said there could also be protests: “I feel like it would be more of a peaceful protest against Trump…I bet there’d be a lot of protests in the streets, and I would assume a lot of people would move away.”

“I think it will [become dangerous] in some states because people are going to extreme extents to support their person.” Macrae Flynn, ’22, said. “I think it could get worse; it just depends how the president [deals with it].”

One defining characteristic in American politics since the nation’s inception is the belief in a peaceful transition of power, first established in the presidential election of 1800. Many believe that this cycle could challenge this established tradition with these claims of a “rigged” election.  At the third debate on Wednesday, Oct. 19, Trump said, “I will keep you in suspense,” when asked about whether he would concede the election if he loses.

However, to avoid this possibility, Trump, Clinton and their supporters can embrace the compliments they gave to each other at the second debate.

While they disagree on most policies, both candidates believe they will be the best possible president for the country. If the election appears to have an obvious winner, which most polls indicate it will, the loser must agreeably concede to the winner to continue this peaceful precedent. They must embrace that the winner was chosen democratically by the majority vote and that whoever wins will best fit the needs of the people, which has always been the main responsibility of the president of the United States.