In a highly anticipated first presidential debate, Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Kamala Harris faced off in a contentious exchange, hosted by ABC News. With just eight weeks remaining before the U.S. presidential election, the debate marked the first meeting between the two candidates and was notable for ending an eight-year streak of no handshakes on the debate stage. Harris and Trump shook hands after their introductions, with Harris making a point to introduce herself to Trump.
Let’s talk about what Donald Trump left us. pic.twitter.com/qiFoChcKJp
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 11, 2024
The debate quickly turned to pressing issues such as the economy and living costs. Harris highlighted her middle-class background and outlined plans to support families and small businesses if elected. She criticized Trump for allegedly favoring tax cuts for “billionaires and big corporations” and reminded viewers of the economic conditions he left when Joe Biden assumed office. Harris asserted, “Donald Trump has no plan for you.”
As tensions rose, Trump shifted his focus to Harris’s record on immigration, to which Harris responded by dismissing Trump’s attacks as “a bunch of lies, grievances, and name-calling.” Harris accused Trump of leaving behind a legacy of severe unemployment, a major health crisis, and a significant attack on democracy. “We have cleaned up Donald Trump’s mess,” she stated.
Trump, in turn, resorted to personal attacks, calling Harris a “Marxist” and mentioning her father’s political beliefs. Despite the jabs, Harris maintained a composed demeanor. Trump also defended his administration’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, claiming a “phenomenal job” was done.
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The debate then touched on abortion, with Harris warning that Trump would seek to ban abortions if re-elected. Trump dismissed the claim as false, expressing skepticism about the feasibility of a national abortion ban passing Congress.
On immigration, Harris criticized Trump’s rhetoric and encouraged people to attend his rallies, suggesting that they would find his speeches less engaging. Trump responded by claiming that no one attends Harris’s rallies and veered into a bizarre claim about Haitian immigrants, which elicited a laugh from Harris.
The discussion shifted to crime, where Harris criticized Trump for his criminal charges, while Trump argued that the Department of Justice was weaponized against him. He also mentioned a recent assassination attempt, blaming it on Democratic rhetoric.
In their exchanges on foreign policy, Harris advocated for a two-state solution to the Israel-Hamas conflict and criticized Trump’s claims about her stance on Israel. On Ukraine, Harris contended that Putin would have already taken Kyiv if Trump were still in office, implying that Trump would capitulate under pressure from the Russian leader. Trump did not directly answer whether he wanted Ukraine to win but emphasized a desire for the war to end.
As Trump repeatedly tied Harris to Biden’s administration failures, Harris reminded him, “You are not running against Biden.” In response to questions about her racial identity, Harris condemned Trump’s attempts to use it divisively and highlighted her commitment to new leadership. Trump dismissed concerns about her identity, claiming indifference.
The debate underscored the sharp contrasts between the two candidates, setting the stage for the final weeks leading up to the election.
