The first debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris was a fiery clash of ideologies and personalities. Held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the 90-minute showdown covered a wide range of issues, with both candidates relentlessly attacking each other’s policies and records.
From the start, Trump targeted Harris’s record on immigration, arguing that the Biden administration’s policies have led to a surge in illegal migration and a weakening of border security. He pointed to the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and claimed that Harris’s policies would ‘destroy’ the country. Harris countered by accusing Trump of promoting a ‘detailed and dangerous plan’ to erode democratic institutions, referring to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a claim Trump vehemently denied.
The debate also saw a heated exchange on the issue of abortion. Harris alleged that a Trump presidency would lead to a national abortion ban, while Trump countered that he supports exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. He emphasized that the issue has been returned to the states following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The candidates also sparred over the economy, with Trump highlighting the record-low unemployment rates during his presidency and blaming the Biden administration for the current inflation crisis. Harris argued that Trump had no plan to address the issue and instead offered Americans an ‘opportunity economy.’
Throughout the debate, Trump faced pointed questions from ABC News moderators who challenged his claims and attempted to fact-check his statements. The former president, however, stood his ground, often dismissing the moderators’ attempts to intervene and reiterate his claims.
The debate concluded with both candidates reiterating their key arguments and emphasizing their starkly different visions for the future of the country. While both candidates expressed confidence in their positions and their ability to win the 2024 election, the debate highlighted the deep divisions within American society and the intensity of the upcoming election cycle.
