On Tuesday night, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump faced off in a heated debate filled with fiery exchanges, conspiracy theories, and key political issues. The vice president employed a calculated strategy, frequently baiting Trump with sharp remarks aimed at provoking emotional responses. Trump, often off-balance, took the bait repeatedly, diverting from critical issues to defend himself against Harris’ jabs, including those about the size of his rallies, his legal troubles, and his handling of bipartisan immigration bills.
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| who won the debate |
One of the most memorable moments involved Harris mocking Trump’s rally crowds, which prompted Trump to go on a lengthy, defensive tangent about his events’ entertainment value. He insisted his rallies were “the biggest, most incredible in history” while dismissing Harris’ criticism. This tactic worked well for Harris, as she kept Trump on the defensive, allowing him to spiral into distractions while she stayed composed.
A key moment in the debate occurred when Trump pushed baseless conspiracy theories, including one about migrants in Ohio allegedly eating people's pets, despite no evidence to support this claim. Even when the moderators fact-checked him live, Trump doubled down, relying on fringe sources to back his assertions. His repeated embrace of falsehoods regarding voter fraud, crime, and even abortion drew sharp rebuttals from Harris and moderators alike.
On abortion, Trump attempted to moderate his stance but reverted to defending the overturning of Roe v. Wade, while Harris fiercely advocated for women’s reproductive rights. She highlighted real-life consequences of restrictive abortion laws, contrasting Trump’s rhetoric with the lived experiences of women facing medical emergencies.
Throughout the debate, Harris sought to present herself as a champion for the middle class, casting Trump as out of touch and self-serving. She made a direct appeal to voters, emphasizing economic policies aimed at helping families, while criticizing Trump’s focus on tax cuts for the wealthy.
Foreign policy was also a focal point, with Harris laying out her vision for peace in conflict zones like Gaza and Ukraine, while Trump stuck to general claims that these crises wouldn’t exist under his leadership. Harris used the opportunity to call out Trump’s coziness with authoritarian leaders, asserting that dictators were eager for his return because they knew they could manipulate him.
In the end, Harris’ composed performance and ability to keep Trump off-topic throughout much of the debate underscored her preparedness, while Trump’s reliance on conspiracy theories and defense of his own record left many key issues largely unaddressed.