Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced off for the first time on the presidential debate stage in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
The encounter, which lasted 90 minutes, was marked by sharp exchanges and personal attacks from Harris. While they shook hands, it was clear from the start that they did not get along.
Kamala Harris relentlessly challenged Donald Trump, making pointed comments about his rally sizes, his behavior during the Capitol riot, and the criticisms from former administration officials. This strategy effectively threw Trump off balance and intensified the debate’s atmosphere. Harris frequently provoked Trump, prompting him to defend his past actions and statements.
Early in the debate, Harris criticized the size of Trump’s rally crowds.
She suggested that attending a Trump rally was revealing because people left early due to boredom and exhaustion. This remark clearly unsettled Trump. He spent much of his subsequent response defending his rally sizes and dismissing Harris’s comments. He then veered off-topic, discussing a discredited claim about Haitian immigrants in Ohio.
Debates are often decided by how well candidates leverage their strengths and manage their weaknesses. On Tuesday night, Harris seemed to gain the upper hand. A CNN poll of debate watchers and betting markets both indicated that Harris performed better.
This impression may be fleeting, but Harris’s approach of putting Trump on the defensive was evident from the start. They debated issues such as the economy and abortion. Harris deftly shifted the conversation to Trump’s proposed tariffs, labeling them a “Trump sales tax,” and highlighted Project 2025, a controversial conservative plan.
Trump tried to distance himself from Project 2025 while defending his tariff policy.
He pointed out that many of his tariffs were maintained by the Biden administration. Although his points were valid, they distracted him from attacking Harris on inflation and consumer prices.
On abortion, Trump struggled to clarify his stance. He claimed that Americans broadly supported overturning Roe v. Wade, a statement at odds with polling data. His response was often disjointed. In contrast, Harris passionately addressed the issue, focusing on families affected by abortion bans in certain states, which she labeled “Trump abortion bans.” Her emotional appeal highlighted a significant advantage over Trump on this issue.
Throughout the debate, Harris continuously put Trump on the defensive. When asked about her previous liberal positions on issues like oil shale fracking, Harris’s deliberate probing led Trump to respond defensively. Instead of attacking her shifting views, Trump mentioned the small amount of money he received from his father.
Another moment of contention arose when Harris discussed the Afghanistan withdrawal. She redirected the discussion to Trump’s dealings with Taliban officials and his invitation to them at Camp David. This tactic was part of a recurring pattern that proved effective in undermining Trump.
Republicans have since criticized the debate moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis, accusing them of favoring Harris. The moderators pushed back and fact-checked Trump’s statements throughout the evening.
Ultimately, Trump’s responses and his tendency to take the bait Harris offered were the night’s key takeaways.
The candidates’ contrasting reactions were evident: Harris displayed a look of bemusement or incredulity, while Trump mostly scowled.
The Harris campaign, previously hesitant about committing to more debates, immediately called for a second debate before November. This swift action suggests that the Democrats view the debate as a significant win for Harris.