Trump-Harris debate updates: Candidates go on the attack in zinger-filled showdown
The first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump turned into a heated matchup that lasted more than 90 minutes.
The night started with a handshake initiated by Harris, but quickly escalated as the vice president bashed Trump over his policies and comments, contending that it was time to “offer a new generation of leadership for our country.”
Trump criticized Harris throughout the debate on topics such as Afghanistan and immigration issues, drawing comparisons between the vice president and President Joe Biden.
With Election Day just eight weeks away, the debate came at a critical point as polls show a neck-and-neck race between the candidates. Now, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of what went down.
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A transcript of the Harris-Trump debate
Harris and Trump met for their first presidential debate on Tuesday night. The consequential matchup was hosted by ABC News at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. It was quite the night, full of dramatic exchanges and zippy one-liners. If you want to relive every glorious second, check out the transcript of the scandalous showdown.
Here’s the tea: Melania Trump was conspicuously absent from the debate. Instead, Trump was accompanied by his son Eric Trump and his daughter-in-law, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, Lara Trump. Rumor has it, Melania had more pressing commitments, like reorganizing her collection of designer shoes. Anyway, Trump did have some interesting company for his flight from Florida to Philadelphia, including Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
And like any reality TV-worthy episode, controversial conservative media influencer Laura Loomer was also aboard, spreading her unique brand of drama and conspiracy theories. Buckle up, folks; this campaign season is going to be a bumpy ride!
‘Wasn’t even close’: Biden reacts to debate
In a post-debate clapback, President Joe Biden chimed in on X (formerly known as Twitter) to throw his full support behind Harris. “America got to see tonight the leader I’ve been proud to work alongside for three and a half years. Wasn’t even close. VP Harris proved she’s the best choice to lead our nation forward. We’re not going back,” Biden declared.
Biden himself was in New York City and preparing to attend the 9/11 memorial services at Ground Zero. The man’s got a lot on his plate, but he sure knows how to drop a mic from a distance.
Over half of debate watchers think Harris won: Poll
According to a CNN and SSRS poll taken right after the debate, a hefty majority of folks think Harris took the crown. That’s right, 63% of debate watchers said Harris came out on top, while only 37% vouched for Trump. The poll’s margin of error is +/- 5.3% points, so there’s that. Before the debate, people were split right down the middle, but the night’s showdowns clearly made an impression.
Flashback to June: the instant poll showed that among debate watchers, 33% thought Biden won, compared to 67% for Trump. Oh, how the tables have turned!
Key takeaways from the Harris-Trump debate
From the get-go, Harris went on the offensive. “You’re going to hear from the same old, tired playbook, a bunch of lies, grievances and name-calling,” she warned. She didn’t shy away from targeting Trump’s rallies and even threw in his multiple indictments for good measure.
Trump, on the other hand, aimed to link Harris directly to Biden at every opportunity. Dropping lines like “She is Biden,” he criticized their economic record together. Interestingly, gender wasn’t brought into the mix, but Trump did touch on race, doubling down on false claims about Harris’s racial identity. Drama, drama, drama.
Best zingers from the Harris-Trump ABC News debate
The debate was replete with snappy one-liners and biting commentary. Here are a couple of the memorable zingers:
Trump: “Wait a minute, I’m talking now, if you don’t mind, please. Does that sound familiar?”
Harris: “Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people.”
Harris: “He talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter.”
These sharp-tongued barbs kept the night spicy and, if nothing else, maintained peak entertainment value. It’s almost like watching an expertly-scripted TV drama—but with real-world stakes.
Just to hammer the point home, for those wondering about Melania’s whereabouts, she was off doing something else. Meanwhile, Trump kept the spotlight with his entourage, featuring political allies and staffers who are sure to pop up as Election Day nears.
To recap, this debate will be one for the history books, and the next few weeks are bound to offer even more juice. Stay tuned, because if there’s one thing you can count on in politics, it’s that nothing is ever dull for long.
