The highly anticipated event occurred just under two months before election day and might be the sole opportunity for voters to witness the candidates directly confront each other.
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have engaged in a heated debate, discussing topics such as abortion, the economy, and illegal immigration. This debate could potentially be their only chance to address these issues before the upcoming US election.
Ms. Harris’s criticisms seemed to provoke a strong reaction from her opponent, suggesting that attendees left his rallies due to lack of interest and that Russian President Vladimir Putin would easily overpower him.
Meanwhile, Mr. Trump often accused her of enabling significant illegal immigration and labelled her as a dangerous “Marxist” and the worst vice president in history.
The debate in Philadelphia started with Ms. Harris extending her hand towards Mr. Trump, creating an uncomfortable moment during the 100-minute face-off.
Ms. Harris spoke directly to the camera multiple times, making pledges to reduce the cost of living and protect abortion rights.
Throughout the debate, the ex-president remained focused on the two moderators, despite the absence of a live studio audience.
During the opening duels, Mr. Trump criticised Ms. Harris for lacking an economic plan and accused the Biden administration of overseeing high inflation and an influx of illegal immigrants taking jobs.
The vice president, on the other hand, alleged that the Republican had intentions of implementing “a tax cut for billionaires and big corporations.”.
During one of Mr. Trump’s frequent mentions of the “dangerous” immigrant influx, he made a strange assertion that there were instances of them consuming people’s pets.
“In Springfield, they’re consuming the canines.” The individuals who arrived. They are consuming the felines. “They’re consuming the animals owned by the residents,” he stated.
The debate moderator interjected to clarify that officials in Springfield, Ohio, had reported no credible reports of such incidents.
Abortion rights were another significant moment of the evening.
Ms. Harris criticised the “Trump abortion bans” and expressed her strong disapproval of government interference in women’s reproductive choices, deeming it unacceptable.
In his tenure as president, Mr. Trump appointed three Supreme Court justices who played a pivotal role in the reversal of the constitutional right to abortion in 2022.
The 78-year-old justified the decision, stating that the matter had caused significant division within the country and highlighting his leadership on IVF rights.
“Every state is casting their vote.” Now it’s up to the people’s vote. It is not associated with the federal government. “I did a great service in doing it,” stated Mr. Trump.
Ms. Harris said his assertion her vice presidential pick, Tim Walz, supports abortion in the ninth month was a “bunch of lies,” as she gave a sombre picture of what some women now go through.
“Now in over 20 states there are Trump abortion bans that make it criminal for a doctor or nurse to provide health care,” she said.
“Life imprisonment is allowed in one state. Trump bans abortion regardless of rape and incest.”
‘Love letters to Kim Jong-un’
The former president, who’s seeking to return to the White House despite his multiple legal troubles, looked spooked early on when Kamala Harris suggested people left his rallies “out of exhaustion and boredom.”.
Mr. Trump replied that his rallies were “the most incredible rallies in the history of politics” and that Ms. Harris was “busing” voters and “paying them.”.
Both nominees were questioned about Ukraine, Gaza, and Afghanistan.
Trump called Harris a “horrible negotiator” who couldn’t defend America and predicted World War 3 if the Democrats won.
She replied that Putin “would eat you for lunch” and “exchanged love letters” with Kim Jong-un and “admires dictators.”.
Ms. Harris said America’s top military commanders saw him as a manipulable liability.
“It is absolutely well known that these dictators and autocrats are rooting for you to be president again, because it’s so clear they can manipulate you with flattery and favours,” she said.
Mr. Trump reaffirmed his view that the Ukraine incursion wouldn’t have happened if he were in charge and promised he would halt it within days if he wins the election.
Ms. Harris said Israel had a right to defend itself in Gaza but that a ceasefire and two-state solution were essential. Mr Trump claimed she “hated” Israel and had refused to meet President Netanyahu.
Ms. Harris’s performance was complimented by the guy who she replaced as a candidate following his own debate catastrophe.
Joe Biden commented on X that the debate “wasn’t even close,” but the 59-year-old told supporters afterwards there remained “a lot of work to do.”.
Mr. Trump declared it his “best debate ever” and said his opponent “lost” as he made a rare move of entering the room to defend his performance.
There are so far no plans for a second debate, with the ex-president telling reporters he would “have to think about it”.
A FiveThirtyEight assessment of polls had Ms. Harris barely ahead at 47.2% to 44.4% before Tuesday night. The TV confrontation may change those statistics.
Post-debate, Taylor Swift endorsed Ms. Harris on Instagram, boosting the Democratic candidate.
“I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them,” she said.
“I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader, and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.”
The Harris campaign displayed Harris-Walz friendship bracelets after the X endorsement.
Referenced Swift’s hit lyrics. “Are you ready for it?” her team captioned a photo of the bracelets, which can be bought on the campaign’s website. Harris-Walz friendship bracelets are available!”
Fans exchange friendship bracelets at Swift’s sold-out Eras tour.