The much-anticipated first and possibly final debate between US presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris concluded on Tuesday, leaving the jury out on who emerged victorious.
The debate, held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and broadcast on ABC, gave Americans a closer look at the sharply contrasting campaigns. With just weeks to go until Election Day, the stakes were high for both candidates as they sought to sway millions of viewers.
The debate began with a brief and awkward handshake, but the proceedings were largely smooth, partly due to muted microphones that minimized interruptions – a marked change from previous encounters. The moderators posed questions on key issues including the economy, abortion rights, climate change, immigration, and foreign policy, with a particular focus on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Hamas wars.
Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee and current Vice President, opened with remarks centered on the economy, emphasizing the need for a more equitable future. Trump, the Republican candidate, frequently pivoted to immigration while promoting conspiracy theories, a strategy that has been a hallmark of his campaign rhetoric.
A heated exchange occurred when the two clashed over abortion. Harris accused the former president of ignoring the health crisis faced by women, claiming that “women are bleeding out in parking lots” due to restrictive laws. Trump sidestepped questions about whether he supported a national abortion ban.
Fact-checkers were kept busy throughout the debate, as both candidates made claims that were either misleading or false. Trump, in particular, made baseless statements about job growth and Haitian immigrants, further stoking controversy.
For Harris, the debate represented a critical moment in her campaign, having joined the race just seven weeks ago. With limited time to solidify her candidacy, she aimed to define her vision and capture the support of undecided voters. After the event, she appeared buoyant, telling her supporters, “Today was a good day. But we still have 56 days to go, and we remain the underdogs. This campaign is about bringing people together because we have more in common than what divides us.”
Meanwhile, Trump remained confident, despite criticism for his numerous false claims. “This was my best debate. I thought it was very good. She was weak on foreign policy and the border,” Trump said to reporters after the debate.
While Harris’s campaign quickly called for a second debate, Trump dismissed the notion, stating she wanted a rematch because she had “lost.”
With both candidates laying out their visions for the United States, the debate has further underscored the stark differences between the two. Whether or not this will sway voters remains to be seen, but the showdown has certainly raised the stakes for the upcoming November election.
As the race heats up, Americans wait to see what the next weeks will hold in this fiercely contested battle for the White House.
