In their first-ever debate on Tuesday, former US President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris engaged in a heated 90-minute exchange, tackling issues such as the economy, abortion, and immigration.
The debate marked a significant departure from the June Biden-Trump debate, where President Joe Biden struggled with coherence.
In contrast, Tuesday’s debate saw Harris largely setting the agenda, while Trump frequently found himself on the defensive.
Trump and Harris present diverging economic visions
The debate began with a focus on the economy, with Harris directly criticising Trump’s trade policies and economic record.
She highlighted the trade deficit during Trump’s presidency and attacked his plan to reintroduce tariffs, stating, “Donald Trump has no plan for you,” emphasising his lack of direction for the future.
Trump, on the other hand, defended his economic record, asserting, “I created one of the greatest economies in the history of our country.”
He dismissed Harris’s criticisms, inaccurately claiming that inflation under the current administration was the worst in US history, and complained, “People can’t go out and buy cereal, or bacon, or anything else.”
Harris countered by promoting her “opportunity economy,” which includes tax breaks for small businesses, parental relief, and measures against corporate price-gouging.
“I am the only person on this stage that is about lifting up the middle class,” she declared, referencing her own middle-class background.
The candidates’ remarks underscored their differing economic strategies, with Harris focusing on middle-class growth and Trump emphasising his past economic achievements.
Trump makes sensational claims about immigration
Immigration became a focal point during the debate, with Trump making dramatic and unfounded claims about migrants.
He alleged, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats … they’re eating the pets of the people that live there.”
This statement was based on a social media post alleging disturbing activities involving Haitian immigrants. However, Springfield police have denied any reports of pets being stolen or eaten.
Despite moderators’ attempts to challenge his remarks and question his plans for mass deportations, Trump persisted with his narrative.
He struggled to stay focused, frequently shifting topics between the economy, healthcare, and immigration. His rhetoric appeared more focused on attacking Harris rather than providing concrete policies.
Abortion debate sees Trump cautious and Harris assertive
Abortion and reproductive rights were contentious topics. Trump, aware of his vulnerability on this issue, took a cautious stance, stating, “As far as the abortion ban, no, I’m not in favour of an abortion ban,” but shifted responsibility to the states, claiming, “This issue has now been taken over by the states.”
He distanced himself from Senator JD Vance’s support for a national ban, asserting, “I didn’t discuss it with JD, in all fairness.”
Harris criticised Trump’s position, calling it “insulting to the women of America” and highlighting the dangers women face under restrictive abortion laws.
She stressed the difficulties women encounter in states with abortion bans and addressed issues surrounding IVF care.
Harris countered Trump’s claims that Democrats support extreme abortion practices by asserting that Americans have “voted for freedom” in supporting reproductive rights.
This exchange resonated strongly with voters, particularly in swing states.
Contrasting views on Ukraine and Gaza
The debate also highlighted stark contrasts in their approaches to international issues. On Ukraine, Harris accused Trump of being too lenient towards Russia, suggesting that if he were in office, Vladimir Putin would have already taken Kyiv.
Trump, when asked if he wanted Ukraine to win, avoided a direct answer, focusing instead on ending the war through negotiations.
“I want the war to stop. I want to save lives,” he said, stressing the importance of reaching a deal to prevent further destruction. He blamed the Biden administration’s lack of leadership for allowing Russia to invade Ukraine.
Regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict, Harris supported a ceasefire that includes releasing Israeli captives while reaffirming her commitment to arming Israel.
“Israel has a right to defend itself… this war must end,” she said, backing a two-state solution and defending Israel against Iran and its proxies.
Trump, in contrast, claimed that the conflict would not have occurred under his administration and accused Harris of being biased against Israel. He also falsely claimed that the Biden administration had lifted sanctions on Iran.
Debate performance and voter reactions
The debate featured sharp exchanges and personal attacks, with Harris using the opportunity to highlight Trump’s past racial controversies and legal issues.
Trump, in turn, tried to label Harris as a liberal extremist, mixing humour with hostility. Harris responded assertively, keeping the focus on her own policies.
Voter reactions were notable, with a CNN poll of debate watchers showing that Kamala Harris was perceived to have outperformed Donald Trump.
A Fox News Digital panel also favoured Harris, with 12 out of 17 voters indicating she won the debate. This performance could potentially give Harris an edge over Trump in the closely contested race.
As the election approaches, the debate may play a crucial role in shaping voter opinions, with Harris’s performance potentially boosting her candidacy against Trump.
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