Trump and Harris engage in a pivotal presidential debate marked by intense exchanges. In their inaugural presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris articulated her vision for the nation, cautioning against the perils of reelecting former President Donald Trump. In response, Trump critiqued her record on immigration and the economy, persistently portraying her as excessively liberal. The discourse on Tuesday, organized by ABC News at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, followed a protracted period of contention regarding the debate regulations, which had been established prior to Harris’s nomination. The recent debate in late June culminated in President Biden’s withdrawal from the race, following a lackluster performance against Trump that raised questions about his viability as a candidate.

In contrast to the Biden-Trump debate, this encounter commenced on a more decorous note, as the vice president extended a handshake to the former president. Their interactions became increasingly contentious, as the candidates visibly expressed disapproval of one another’s responses. Trump exhibited irritation when the vice president proposed that attendees depart his political rallies prematurely due to a lack of engagement. He asserted that the United States stands on the brink of World War III, with its populace enduring hardship under the Biden-Harris administration.

From the outset, Harris juxtaposed her economic agenda and middle-class background with that of Trump, labeling the former president’s tariff proposal as a “Trump sales tax” and condemning his intentions to prolong tax cuts for the affluent. “I am, in fact, the sole individual on this stage with a strategy aimed at elevating the middle class and the working populace of America,” she asserted, further stating: “Donald Trump lacks a plan for you, as his priorities lie more in self-defense than in safeguarding your interests.”

During the debate, Trump faced inquiries regarding his ongoing critiques of the Affordable Care Act and the existence of any alternative proposals he might present. “I possess an idea for a strategy,” he stated. The former president depicted a country that has descended into turmoil and despondency since his departure from office. He forcefully attributed the Biden-era migrant crisis to Harris, reiterating his unsubstantiated assertion that the administration is permitting individuals from prisons, mental health facilities, and “insane asylums” to enter the country unlawfully. “They are entering the workforce and occupying positions currently held by African-Americans, Hispanics, and union members,” Trump asserted. “They are proceeding with aggression.” The individuals permitted entry into the nation by her and Biden are contributing to the degradation of our society.

Regarding abortion, Trump refrained from committing to a veto of a national ban on the procedure, although he expressed that he would not endorse such a measure. “This matter is now firmly in the hands of the states,” Trump remarked. When questioned about her stance on potential restrictions regarding abortion access, Harris affirmed her strong endorsement for the reinstatement of the protections established by Roe v. Wade. Trump was prompted to reconsider earlier remarks regarding Harris’s racial identity, asserting, “I don’t care” how she identifies. In July, he proposed that Harris, whose mother hails from India and whose father immigrated from Jamaica, had “turned Black.” On Tuesday, he remarked, “Whatever she aspires to be is acceptable to me,” but further noted that he had come across information suggesting that she is not of Black descent.

Harris remarked that it is a lamentable situation that Trump has employed “race to try to divide” the nation. Despite the candidates’ consensus on muting their opponents’ microphones during the debate, Harris was audible expressing, “Come on,” as Trump probed whether she would impose any restrictions on abortions. Harris remarked that the notion of women seeking abortions after completing a full pregnancy term is “insulting to the women of America.”

Trump, at times wandering from the main subject, reiterated an unsubstantiated claim circulating on social media—previously endorsed by his running mate, Sen. JD Vance—that Haitian migrants are making their way to locations such as Springfield, Ohio, and “eating the dogs…”The consumption of pets by local residents highlights a troubling trend within our society, reflecting a broader issue that warrants serious attention.

Harris reaffirmed her backing for a bipartisan Senate border agreement that was brokered earlier this year but ultimately thwarted by Republicans following Trump’s directive to his party to reject it. The proposed legislation would have conferred upon the president the power to halt the processing of asylum seekers in the event of a significant increase in border crossings. Concurrently, that policy would have augmented legal immigration to the United States. “He would rather campaign on an issue than address it,” Harris remarked regarding Trump. In response to Trump’s persistent efforts to associate her with Biden, Harris asserted, “You’re not running against Joe Biden, you’re running against me.”

However, the former president persisted in questioning Harris regarding her failure to implement any of her policies during the ongoing administration: “I pose a straightforward inquiry, why didn’t she take action?” he inquired. Trump rejected the moderator’s assertion that he ought to have responded differently on January 6, 2021, when a throng of his supporters stormed the Capitol. He posited that the legal actions taken against the rioters were unjust.

Harris, present at the Capitol on January 6, asserted that Trump’s reaction to the assault was not a “isolated situation,” referencing instances where the former president has declined to denounce hate groups. “For all those observing who recall January 6, I assert, we need not revisit that moment,” she stated. Trump maintained his claim that the 2020 election was manipulated to his disadvantage, dismissing the numerous unsuccessful court challenges and the subsequent reviews, recounts, and audits in key states that confirmed Biden’s victory. “The evidence is abundant—one need only observe,” he stated. “The quality of our elections is subpar.”

Harris leveraged Trump’s persistent unfounded claims regarding the 2020 election to argue that he lacked the requisite temperament for the presidency. “Donald Trump was dismissed by 81 million voters, so let’s be unequivocal about that, and it is evident that he is struggling to come to terms with this reality,” she stated. The two candidates engaged in a vigorous exchange of accusations regarding foreign policy, with particular emphasis on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. “She harbors animosity towards Israel,” Trump asserted. “Should she assume the presidency, I contend that Israel may cease to exist within a two-year timeframe.” Harris remarked that during her international engagements, “World leaders are laughing at Donald Trump,” further asserting: “He’s attempting once more to divide and distract from the evident reality that Donald Trump is inadequate and misguided on national security and foreign policy,” she stated.

Trump consistently declined to clarify his stance on whether he supports Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. He emphasized his capacity to broker a peace agreement between the two nations and claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine stemmed from a lack of respect for Biden. Trump posited the conjecture that Putin would not have proceeded with the invasion had he been in office.

Harris asserted that the conflict in Ukraine would reach a swift conclusion under Trump’s leadership, suggesting he would capitulate to Putin, whom she warned would “consume you for lunch.” The vice president articulated support for Biden’s choice to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, asserting that Trump had negotiated an unfavorable agreement with the Taliban. Harris, at 59, showcased a more pronounced divergence on the debate stage with Trump, who is 78, compared to the octogenarian Biden. The vice president has positioned herself as the candidate of change, making nuanced efforts to differentiate her stance from Biden on specific matters, all while acknowledging their shared achievements since assuming office in January 2021.

Her performance on Tuesday night swiftly garnered one of the most sought-after endorsements: that of megastar Taylor Swift, who announced on Instagram her intention to vote for the vice president. Trump, caught off guard by Biden’s departure, has found it challenging to establish a coherent strategy against Harris, despite polling indicating that the contest is effectively a dead heat.

The prospects of a subsequent debate between Harris and Trump remain uncertain, particularly in light of the contentious negotiations surrounding the event’s terms. Nevertheless, both candidates have emphasized their belief in the significance of presidential debates within the electoral process. The Trump campaign had previously expressed a desire for additional debates, while the Harris campaign indicated on Tuesday evening its interest in scheduling another debate in October.

The candidates for the vice presidency—Vance and Democratic nominee Tim Walz—are set to engage in a debate on October 1.