Democratic Debate Goes on Without Hillary Clinton on Stage

"Sorry," she said, when she returned mid-question

It was an uncomfortable moment when ABC came back from a commercial break during Saturday night's Democratic presidential debate with one of the three podiums empty.

Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton didn't make it back on stage in time for the end of the 9:30 commercial break, meaning the debate continued on without her.

"As we await Secretary Clinton backstage, we're going to begin on the economy," moderator David Muir said. "We believe Secretary Clinton will be coming around the corner any minute."

Muir then went on to ask Sanders a question. The camera briefly showed the entire stage, with Clinton's empty podium at center stage.

Clinton returned to the stage a few beats later, to loud applause.

"Sorry," she said. 

Muir then informed her of the question he had just asked, and said she'd get a chance to respond momentarily.

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Sunday, Republican front-runner Donald Trump took to social media, saying Clinton was weak and suggesting her absence from the stage showed why he would be a better choice for president:

"I think my words represent toughness and strength. Hillary's not strength. Hillary's weak, frankly, she's got no stamina, she's got nothing.

"Hillary couldn’t even get back on the stage last night. Nobody even knows what happened to her. It’s like she went home and went to sleep! She couldn’t get back on the stage last night I’ll tell you why. Because we need a president with great strength and stamina and Hillary doesn’t have that.

"We can not have another bad president like we have right now. We need a president with tremendous intelligence, smarts, cunning, strength, and stamina. ‪#‎Trump2016‬"

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