In their first presidential debate, held today by ABC News, US presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris clashed on a range of issues from the economy to immigration. This debate marks the first time the two have met, with Harris making a point to introduce herself to Trump. The event also saw the end of an eight-year tradition of avoiding handshakes on the debate stage, as Trump and Harris exchanged a handshake before the debate began.
Economic Debate
When questioned about the economy and living costs, Harris, drawing from her middle-class background, highlighted her plans to support families and small businesses. She criticized Trump for favoring tax cuts for “billionaires and big corporations” and pointed out the economic challenges left behind when Biden took office. Harris asserted, “Donald Trump has no plan for you.”
Immigration and Personal Attacks
The debate grew heated when Trump attacked Harris on immigration policies. Harris dismissed Trump’s remarks as “a bunch of lies, grievances, and name-calling.” She criticized Trump’s record, stating, “Donald Trump left us worst unemployment since the Great Depression” and “the worst public health epidemic in a century.”
Trump, in turn, made a personal attack on Harris, calling her a “Marxist” and mentioning her father. Despite the personal jabs, Harris remained composed, smiling throughout. Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with how his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was perceived, claiming, “We did a phenomenal job with the pandemic.”
Abortion and Immigration Issues
On the topic of abortion, Harris warned that Trump would impose a ban if re-elected. Trump dismissed this, saying such a law wouldn’t pass Congress. During the discussion on immigration, Harris mocked Trump’s rallies, suggesting they feature outlandish comments and result in audience disengagement. Trump responded with bizarre claims about Haitian immigrants, which Harris found laughable.
Crime, Democracy, and Foreign Policy
As Trump criticized the Biden administration’s crime control efforts, Harris pointed out his criminal charges, calling the remarks “so rich.” Trump argued that the charges were politically motivated and claimed that the Democrats pose a threat to democracy.
On international issues, Harris advocated for a two-state solution to the Israel-Hamas conflict, while Trump claimed the situation would not have escalated under his presidency and accused Harris of being against both Israel and the Arab population. Regarding the Ukraine war, Harris argued that Putin would have advanced further if Trump were president, while Trump only vaguely stated his desire for the war to end, not specifying support for Ukraine.
Identity and Division
When asked about questioning Harris’s racial identity, Trump replied, “I don’t care what she is,” dismissing the issue. Harris criticized Trump for attempting to use racial identity to divide Americans, positioning herself as part of a new generation of leadership distinct from both Biden and Trump.
As the debate concluded, Harris emphasized that voters are not choosing between Biden and Trump but are deciding on the future direction of the country.