Millions of viewers across the United States tuned in to watch Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump go head-to-head during their highly anticipated first presidential debate, which aired live on ABC News. The 90-minute face-off, characterized by sharp exchanges and fierce rhetoric, kicked off with Harris and Trump sharing the stage for the first time, setting the tone for what became an intense evening of political sparring.
The debate began with Harris initiating a handshake, signaling the start of their encounter. “Kamala Harris,” she said, trying to bridge the divide. Trump responded, “Nice to see you. Have fun,” making it the first handshake seen at such debates in nearly eight years. From there, it was clear the gloves were off. Harris showcased a confident demeanor, often facing Trump directly, smirking, laughing, or shaking her head at his remarks, contrasting sharply with Trump’s stoic demeanor, who tended to gaze straight forward as she spoke.
From the get-go, Harris didn’t pull punches, launching attacks on Trump’s criminal trials and his handling of the COVID pandemic. She accused her opponent of using race as weaponry to divide Americans. This remark was particularly pointed following Trump’s claims of her “becoming a black person,” referencing his past derogatory comments. Trump, on the other hand, repeatedly shifted the conversation toward inflation and immigration—areas he deemed as vulnerabilities for Harris’s campaign.
Throughout the debate, Harris made light of Trump’s dwindling crowd sizes at his rallies, quipping, “People start leaving his rallies early out of exhaustion and boredom.” Trump countered her claims by insisting no one attended her events. At one particularly charged moment, as Harris interrupted him, Trump retorted, “I’m talking now,” harkening back to her notable comment from her vice-presidential debate against Mike Pence.
An unexpected moment arose as Trump echoed charges from his running mate, JD Vance, claiming Haitian migrants were stealing pets and consuming them—a story without substantiated evidence. Despite officials from Springfield, Ohio, dismissing the speculation, Trump unabashedly brought it up, saying, “They're eating the dogs, they're eating cats.” Harris struck back, characterizing Trump's claims as extreme, which underscored the immense pressure both candidates were under to energize and sway voters.
One of the most heated exchanges of the night centered on the contentious topic of abortion, which has been front and center since the Supreme Court’s controversial decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Harris was clear, stating, “One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government... should not be telling a woman what to do with her body.” She accused Trump of planning to impose strict abortion bans upon re-election.
Trump vehemently denied her assertions, labeling them “an absolute lie.” He reiterated his stance supporting exceptions for rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is at risk. At one point, he made the dubious claim about babies being subjected to “executions” post-birth, prompting one of the ABC moderators to intervene for factual clarity, stating, “There is no state in this country where it is legal to kill a baby after it’s born.” This moment highlighted the moderators' role, not only as facilitators but also as fact-checkers during the debate.
Relations between Trump and Harris continued to fray as he criticized her for lacking concrete policies, asserting, “She has no policy.” He alleged she was merely mimicking his ideas, humorously proposing he would send her a MAGA hat. Harris was quick to refute this notion, emphasizing, “Clearly, I am not Joe Biden,” and fortifying her position on economic policies, declaring, “I have a plan.”
To pivot the conversation back toward policies, Trump was pressed about what he would do differently if he reclaims the presidency, especially concerning the Affordable Care Act, which he once attempted to dismantle. He spoke vaguely of having “concepts” for improvements, as Harris emphasized her commitment to comprehensive planning on economic issues. The tug-of-war over healthcare reflected the broader ideological differences between the candidates—Trump’s reactionary approach versus Harris’s emphasis on structured policy-making.
The debate took another turn when Trump sought to label Harris as anti-gun, asserting, “She has a plan to confiscate everyone's guns.” This claim prompted Harris to clarify, “We’re not taking anybody's guns away.” She pointed out her and her running mate Tim Walz’s stances as gun owners, showcasing the middle ground they wish to occupy on such polarizing topics.
With just eight weeks left until Election Day, the stakes for both candidates couldn’t be higher. Polls indicate a tightly contested race, with viewers left feeling they were witnessing not just political theater but perhaps the shaping of the nation’s future leadership. Reflecting on the debate, President Joe Biden remarked it “wasn’t even close,” indicating his confidence and signaling the intensity surrounding the upcoming electoral decisions.
While many polls suggested Harris had emerged as the victor of this initial debate, the path forward remains laden with uncertainty. With both candidates proposing they are the voice for change, the American electorate will have to evaluate which rhetoric resonates most with their values. The stage is set, but who holds their ground by the time of the next debate remains to be seen, as both candidates will undoubtedly look to solidify their base and attract undecided voters.
