Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris squared off in one of the most historic and contentious debates, where each candidate presented dramatically contrasting visions for their policy priorities and governing styles to the electorate. Hosted by ABC News in Philadelphia, the debate quickly turned from a cordial handshake into heated exchanges marked by aggressive rhetoric and sharp accusations.
1. Opening Tensions and Mutual Respect
The debate started off with pleasantry as Harris and Trump shook hands, then quickly devolved into an argument. Teetering between topics that ranged from social issues to policy issues, the candidates’ interaction with each other became increasingly heated as the debate wore on.
2. Healthcare Policy Clash
A big point of contention was, of course, healthcare. Trump attacked the ACA, better known as Obamacare, saying it had failed in its promise of affordable healthcare. “We still do not have a plan. I have concepts of a plan. I’m not president right now,” Trump said, failing to provide a detailed alternative.
Harris, by contrast, supported the ACA and maintained that she sought to improve it. “You have no plan,” Harris replied, highlighting how she was dedicated to shoring up and building upon the current health insurance system.
3. Ad Hominem and Allegations
Trump attempts to tie Harris directly to the administration of President Joe Biden by claiming she is indistinguishable from Biden, blaming current economic woes on her and the Administration’s policies. “She is Biden,” Trump said, attacking Harris’s association with Biden’s administration.
Harris responded strongly, pivoting off Biden and positioning herself as a new voice for a new generation in leadership. “I am not Joe Biden, and I am certainly not Donald Trump,” she said, trying to make clear how her vision differed from that of both her predecessor and Trump.
4. Controversial Claims on Foreign Policy
Trump said Harris’s election would compromise Israel, though offering no proof. He stressed the war in Gaza wouldn’t have occurred if he was still president and blamed the Biden administration for lifting some of the sanctions it had imposed on Iran.
Harris did not respond directly to Trump’s remarks but focused on her commitment to the state of Israel and to finding diplomatic solutions to international conflicts.
5. Riots on Capitol Hill and January 6
Trump defended himself against charges of responsibility for the riot at the Capitol on January 6 by insisting that he had only called for peaceful protest and that fault lay with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He has downplayed his comments pre-January 6 about losing the 2020 election as sarcasm.
6. Abortion and Reproductive Rights
Abortion: Harris pledged she would sign a bill to reinstate the Roe v. Wade protections, if Congress passes it. Trump hailed the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade as a ‘great achievement’ and said individual states should prevail in determining the fate of abortion.
7. Criticisms and Personal Attacks
Trump trafficked in baseless Harris criticisms, from labeling her a “Marxist” to attempting to tie her to economic policies that have failed. He also claimed Democrats’ rhetoric contributed to his assassination attempt in July.
Harris immediately responded to Trump’s accusations, touting his legal issues and stressing respect for the rule of law. “Let’s be clear where each person stands on the issue of what is important about respect for the rule of law and for law enforcement,” she said.
8. Economic Plans and Criticisms
Harris attacked Trump as having no coherent economic program; rather, his tax cuts for the wealthy and tariffs hurt ordinary Americans. She worked out her vision for an “opportunity economy” which would benefit regular people.
9. Project 2025 and Policy Vision
Trump said the conservative Project 2025 plan, which Democrats have used to attack him, was maligned, then spoke of his vision to cut taxes and spur growth while the association with the controversial plan was swept aside.
10. Debate Dynamics and Format
It was moderated by ABC’s David Muir and Linsey Davis and had no live audience, thus allowing the candidates’ arguments to be focused without external interruptions. The two candidates stood at podiums approximately 6-8 feet from each other in a blue-lit amphitheater, and Trump took the final closing statement when a virtual coin toss gave him the advantage.
The contrasts that were repeatedly heard between Trump and Harris would, as expected, continue to influence the choices voters would make in the election that was about to take place.
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