The stage was set for a political showdown as Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced off in the first and only televised debate ahead of the 2024 US Presidential election. Held on September 11th at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the 90-minute debate was a critical opportunity for both candidates to make their case to the American public.
Trump, the Republican nominee, declared his intention to highlight the stark contrast between Harris’s past left-wing policies and her current more centrist stance. He aimed to capitalize on the perception that Harris has shifted her positions to appeal to a broader range of voters.
Harris, the Democratic nominee, countered by signaling her focus on exposing Trump’s history of falsehoods. She has repeatedly criticized Trump for his rhetoric and actions, and the debate offered a platform to directly address these concerns to a national audience.
The debate, moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis, was broadcast live on ABC News and included two commercial breaks. Viewers could also watch the live stream on ABC News Live, Disney+, Hulu, or Fox News.
The format of the debate allowed each candidate two minutes to answer questions and two minutes to rebut their opponent’s responses. An additional minute was allotted to each candidate for clarifications and follow-ups. Both Trump and Harris stood throughout the debate, which featured a live audience.
This encounter was particularly important for Harris, as polls indicated that a significant portion of likely voters felt they lacked sufficient knowledge about her. The debate provided Harris, a former prosecutor, a chance to introduce herself and articulate her vision for the nation. She aimed to leverage her legal background to hold Trump accountable for his actions, highlighting his felony convictions, support for those convicted in the January 6th attack on the Capitol, and frequent misleading statements.
The debate offered a glimpse into the key issues and strategies that will likely dominate the 2024 election campaign. The nation watched with anticipation to see how Trump and Harris would navigate this critical stage in the race for the White House.
