One thing bothered me in last night's debate.

[bluescribbler]

The mods referred to tsf as, "the President", or "Mr. President". He is not the President. He was afforded more respect than he deserves.

[BoRaGard]

1. Yes, I wondered about that, too

Is there some protocol? He is the ex - the loser.

Could just call him by that, Mr. Loser (R)

[Lonestarblue]

2. I suspect it is merely traditional. If they were speaking to Obama, they would likely call him Mr. President.

[Wounded Bear]

3. Bad habit of the media...

They refer to former politicians and officers by the last title or rank they held before leaving office.

Most of the time, I'm good with it. Call a retired general "General." Call a former Senator "Senator."

In trump's case, it grates on my nerves, too.

[Walleye]

4. I think President Trump is OK but not necessary. Mr. President is definitely not. There's only one.

[Traildogbob]

5. That respectful

Title should never be attached to an insurrectionist ass hole traitor. Period.

[Cha]

15. Exactly. Who the hell do they think

they're kidding like the Fraud, Felon, Rapist, Insurrectionist Never happened..

[Metaphorical]

6. He's a ... ffff-former president

I think that moment in the debate laid to rest ANY question there. Afterwards, I noticed that the moderators began demoting him to former president and even Mr. Trump at one point.

Technically, yes, he should be referred to as President Trump when addressed formally - this is a common courtesy to all past presidents, even ones as generally bad as Trump.

[LauraInLA]

7. From Emily Post:

Formally Addressing the Former President
When addressing a former President of the United States in a formal setting, the correct form is “Mr. LastName.” (“President LastName” or “Mr. President” are terms reserved for the current head of state.) This is true for other ex-officials, as well. When talking about the person to a third party, on the other hand, it’s appropriate to say, “former President LastName.” This holds for introductions, as well: A current state governor is introduced as “Governor Tom Smith,” while you’d introduce an ex-governor as “former Governor Jim Bell.”

Informally Addressing the Former President
Now, let’s look a little closer. In an informal setting (such as a private lunch), it’s acceptable to use the title the ex-official held. Here, you could refer to former President Jimmy Carter as either “President Carter” or “Mr. Carter.” In reality, many people ignore this convention and refer to former Presidents as "President Last Name" when they are in settings where nearly everyone would afford them the honor of the title. Technically, this is still incorrect but there are enough former Presidents allowing this that it has become a somewhat common mistake.

https://emilypost.com/advice/addressing-a-former-president-of-the-united-states

——
I don’t love it. But if they’d said, “Former President Trump,” every time they addressed him in the debate, it would have taken up even more time. And I think the form is changing over time — I hear, “President Obama,” often.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Former high office holders retain their title when addressed directly

Mr. Ambassador, Madame Secretary

In the third person they are referred to as former, to avoid confusion with current incumbents

[TommieMommy]

9. I totally agree, that person is not the president

[milestogo]

10. His official title is Sir Loserman

or Sore Loserman, depending on one's accent.

[GopherGal]

11. okay, so I wasn't the only one

yelling (well, loudly thinking) "FORMER President Trump! By God, if you don't know who the current president is, how in the hell do you get the job moderating this debate?"

[Silent Type]

12. Ain't much to criticize mods on if we are dinging them for saying President Obama, President Clinton, SOS Clinton, etc.

trump a POS, but why make it that obvious. Mods let him talk, and he hanged himself.

[Cha]

13. I know... I just read a blurb by

David Muir that called him "President"... I said he's Not president.

[CCExile]

14. I think it would depend on the former president...

"Fuck Face Trump" would be appropriate in all situations.

[StarryNite]

16. I didn't like that either. And right out of the gate on the 1st question Muir said,

"Vice President Harris, you and President Trump were elected four years ago". Heaven forbid if President Biden slips up on names though.

[S/V Loner]

17. Probably part of the negotiation over the debate.

I can just see him doing that.

[obamanut2012]

18. He is allowed to be called that, just as Hillary is called Secretary Clinton

[lame54]

19. Mr. President, more speaking time...

Yet their side is pissed about the blue background
It was rigged

[marble falls]

20. Absolutely bothered me. They kept it up until Kamala Harris kept using it. I think everyone calling him ...

... President is partially to blame for some degree of support he has - Q keeps saying he's the real President and Biden is a stand in.

[jalan48]

21. Yes, they were in full ass kissing mode last night.

After he steamrolled them and spoke over his allotted time,they responded with, "Thank you President Trump".