On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris squared off in a high-stakes presidential debate held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The event, moderated by ABC News, lasted for one hour and 45 minutes and covered a wide range of critical issues, including abortion rights, immigration, and crime.
As the two candidates took the stage, the debate was seen as a crucial moment in the 2024 presidential race, with both leaders eager to sway undecided voters.
Throughout the debate, Vice President Harris employed a strategy designed to provoke Trump, often challenging his record and leadership style.
She did not shy away from criticizing Trump, calling him “weak” and “wrong,” and highlighting his 2020 electoral defeat.
Harris aimed to portray herself as a champion of the middle class, contrasting her focus on working families with Trump’s perceived alignment with billionaires and big corporations.
Trump, visibly agitated at times, frequently strayed into unverified claims and conspiracy theories, some of which have been debunked multiple times.
He reiterated false statements about the 2020 election being stolen and made controversial remarks about immigration, including unfounded claims about migrants and crime rates.
Despite fact-checks during the debate, Trump persisted with his narrative, painting a grim picture of the country’s current state under Democratic leadership.
One of the most heated exchanges between the candidates centered on abortion rights. Harris criticized Trump for his role in overturning Roe v. Wade, pointing out the negative impacts on women who were denied care.
Trump defended his actions, arguing that the issue should be decided by individual states, but he also repeated false claims about Democratic support for infanticide, which were immediately challenged.
Immigration also became a contentious topic, with Harris accusing Trump of failing to pass a bipartisan immigration reform bill.
Trump responded with off-topic and misleading statements about migrants, steering clear of detailed policy discussions.
He also claimed that crime rates were surging across the U.S., a statement that was contradicted by FBI data presented during the debate.
When discussing international issues, neither candidate offered clear plans for resolving ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
Harris criticized Trump’s past connections with authoritarian leaders, while Trump countered that he would have prevented such conflicts from happening.
Throughout the debate, personal jabs and sharp criticisms underscored the deep divide between the two candidates.
Harris repeatedly targeted Trump’s past comments on race, while Trump deflected, focusing instead on attacking Harris and the Democratic leadership.
According to polling data released by CNN prior to the debate, Trump and Harris were nearly tied, with Harris holding a slight lead at 49% to Trump’s 48%.
The debate highlighted their starkly different visions for America, with Harris pressing Trump on policy and integrity, and Trump continuing to promote his narrative of a country in crisis under Democratic control.
