Joe Biden attacks Donald Trump and Bill Barr for comparing lockdown to slavery as critics slam ‘softball’ CNN questions

Thirteen of the 16 voters who asked questions said they were Democrat supporters and only three were identified as Republicans.

The first question came from a woman who lost her mother to Covid-19, allowing him to express his sorrow for victims.

He was also asked about the summer of racial unrest and he explained why he had supported peaceful protests while Trump was critical.

Politico columnist Jeff Greenfield said: "The contrast between what Trump was asked and what Biden is being asked is striking.";

He said the gentle questioning was "not exactly getting him ready" for the first presidential debate due on September 29.

The New York Posts' Miranda Devine tweeted: "So far the questions at CNN’s drive-in #BidenTownHall sound as if they were written by Biden’s campaign: 'Tell us how bad Trump is'.

"Reversal of the president’s ABC townhall."

Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller tweeted: "This town hall is an in-kind contribution to the Biden campaign."

A spokesman for the Trump campaign said last night: "Virtually every question for Joe Biden was an invitation for him to attack President Trump, while moderator Anderson Cooper offered almost no pushback, giving Biden a total pass on his lies and misrepresentations."

Racial divisions are likely to feature heavily in the election.

Yesterday AG Barr said BLM activists after riots in Oregon and elsewhere.