The first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, sparked a flurry of reactions from prominent political figures. The heated exchange, lasting over 90 minutes, highlighted stark contrasts between the candidates and their visions for America.
President Joe Biden, expressing strong support for his Vice President on social media platform X, stated, “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.” Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also rallied support for Harris, urging people to join the fight to defeat Trump and elect Harris. “Here’s what I know: We need to defeat Donald Trump. We need to elect Kamala Harris. If you’ve been waiting to join this fight, the time is now,” she tweeted.
Meanwhile, Republican voices offered contrasting views. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former Democrat turned Trump supporter, criticized the establishment Republicans who support Harris, calling them part of a “uniparty.” He also praised Trump’s stance on Russia, warning against the current administration’s confrontational approach. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) accused Harris of lying about Biden’s fitness to serve and the state of the country, stating, “Kamala Harris says she’s ‘not Joe Biden.’ She’s just his VP, she just lied and said Joe was fit to serve, and she just insists that America is better off than it was before Joe Biden took office.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) highlighted Harris’s stance on housing, mentioning her own bill to address the issue. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) emphasized the contrasting visions presented by Harris and Trump, calling for Democrats to support Harris’s campaign actively.
The debate, moderated by ABC World News Tonight anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis, serves as a crucial point in the election cycle, with just eight weeks left before Election Day. The significance of this debate is further magnified by the possibility of it being the only face-off between the two candidates before voters go to the polls.
One of the most notable exchanges occurred when Trump alleged that Biden harbors a secret animosity toward Harris, claiming Biden was forced out of office and resents Harris for it. “He hates her. He can’t stand her,” Trump stated.
Adding to the diverse range of reactions, pop icon Taylor Swift publicly endorsed Harris for the 2024 presidential race following the debate. Swift expressed her support for Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz (D-Minn), stating they stand for the rights and causes she supports. Harris criticized Trump for severe unemployment during his tenure and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. She stated, “Donald Trump left us the worst unemployment since the Great Depression.”
The first presidential debate has certainly set the stage for a heated and contentious election season. It remains to be seen how these contrasting visions will resonate with voters and shape the upcoming election.
