'Sleep well Hillary', says Donald Trump ahead of debate

Washington, Sept 21: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has teased his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton to "sleep well" ahead of the first presidential debate next week which is likely to attract a record number of viewership.

Clinton appeared at no public events on Tuesday with less than two months before the election, and 70-year-old Trump promptly ridiculed her "taking the day off". "Hillary Clinton is taking the day off again, she needs the rest. Sleep well Hillary - see you at the debate!" Trump said in a tweet after it was reported that Clinton has taken a day's off from her grilling campaign schedule.

It was only the latest dig on 68-year-old Clinton by Trump, who has repeatedly mocked his rival's 'stamina,' although he wished her well after she was diagnosed with pneumonia after she left the 9/11 commemoration ceremony.

The first of the series of three presidential debates are scheduled for September 26 in New York. In American presidential election a lot depends on performance of a candidate in these three debates.

Given the sharp polarization of voters during the general elections, the first presidential debate is expected to attract a record 100 million viewership, The Hill newspaper said.

"A debate with an audience that size would be something never seen before in US politics and would be a figure close to what the Super Bowl gets," the newspaper said.

The other two presidential debates have been scheduled for October 9 and October 19. Their running mates Tim Kaine and Mike Pence would have the sole vice presidential debates on October 4.

PTI