Vice President Kamala Harris decisively took control of the first presidential debate against former President Donald Trump in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, delivering a performance that put Trump on the defensive for much of the evening.
Moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis of ABC News kept a tight handle on the debate, significantly improving from CNN’s June handling of Trump and incumbent Joe Biden, then the Democratic nominee.
The debate began with a surprise as Harris approached Trump to shake his hand and introduced herself as “Kamala Harris,” an unusual move that set the tone for the night. Trump’s trademark scowl stayed in place throughout the debate, as Harris pressed him on his legal woes and diminished his record.
Displaying her prosecutorial skills, Harris consistently turned the conversation toward Trump’s convictions, his business fraud case, and his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Harris positioned herself as a problem-solver, taking on issues like housing, child care, and the economy. In her opening statement, she outlined her “opportunity economy” plan, which focuses on bolstering the middle class.
“I was raised as a middle-class kid, and I am actually the only person on this stage who has a plan that is about lifting up the middle class and working people of America,” Harris said. She detailed a $6,000 child tax credit as part of her plan to support young families.
Trump, by contrast, criticized the Biden-Harris economy, calling it “the worst period of time” he had seen. He defended his tariff policies and took aim at Harris, labeling her a “Marxist” while also accusing her of copying his economic policies.
“I was going to send her a MAGA hat,” Trump quipped.
Abortion rights were another major focus of the night. Trump, when asked if he would veto a federal abortion ban, declined to answer directly, stating, “I won’t have to,” and arguing that the end of Roe v. Wade had satisfied everyone. Harris, in turn, vowed to restore Roe’s protections through federal legislation if elected.
“I pledge to you: When Congress passes a bill to put back in place the protections of Roe v. Wade as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law,” she said.
As the debate went on, Trump repeated several conspiracy theories, including a claim that migrants were eating pets in U.S. cities, which Muir quickly fact-checked. Trump doubled down, citing “people on television” as his source. Harris largely let Trump’s more outlandish statements pass, opting to stay on policy while allowing the moderators to address his factually inaccurate remarks.
In one of the most heated moments, Harris invited viewers to attend a Trump rally for themselves, commenting, “He talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter and windmills causing cancer. You’ll notice people start leaving his rallies early — out of exhaustion and boredom.”
Trump, visibly irritated, retorted that he holds “the most incredible rallies in the history of politics,” but the debate soon returned to more substantive issues like crime and inflation.
The night clearly contrasted Biden’s earlier debate with Trump, as Harris managed to keep Trump on the defensive. Trump continued to fixate on conspiracy theories and past grievances, while Harris stayed focused on presenting her vision for the future.
With fewer than 60 days until the election, the debate set the tone for what will likely be a hard-fought campaign. As the debate ended, Harris closed with a message to the American people: “This is about who we are as a country. The choice is clear — between chaos and leadership, fear and hope.”
Post-Debate Call to Action: Vote
With fewer than 60 days until the election, the debate sets the tone for what will likely be a hard-fought campaign.
Since candidates have presented policies and defended their values, voters are now left with the decision of voting for who they feel will be the best commander in chief.
“The significance of this day is never before, in our wildest dreams, did our ancestors imagine something like a debate between Vice President Harris and former President Trump,” said Melanie Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition of Black Civic Participation (NCBCP).
The morning of the debate, NCBCP convened a group of Black women leaders from around the country to discuss the gravity of the moment and the importance of voting in the 2024 election.
“This election is about who can get their folks to the polls,” Campbell emphasized.
After the debate concluded, many people, including celebrities like Taylor Swift, took to social media and other platforms to weigh in on the discussions of the night and share who they planned to vote for in November.
“Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight,” Swift wrote, before discussing the importance of doing research and noting the dangers of misinformation. “I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for [Harris] because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think 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.”
Hamil R. Harris contributed to this story.
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