In their first presidential debate for the 2024 US election on Tuesday, Republican Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris clashed over key issues including abortion, the economy, immigration and Trump’s legal problems.
Both candidates were targeting a pivotal moment in their hotly contested race, with each seeking to sway undecided voters in what is shaping up to be a high-stakes election.
Harris, drawing on her experience as a former prosecutor, launched a series of scathing criticisms of Trump.
She targeted his stance on abortion, his fitness for office and his numerous legal challenges, including a criminal conviction related to hush money payments and various other charges.
Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing, responded with a series of defensive remarks, claiming without evidence that the deals were orchestrated by Democrats.
He also reiterated his unfounded claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him.
At one point in the debate, Harris mocked Trump’s campaign rallies, suggesting attendees were leaving early out of boredom. The comment appeared to anger Trump, who responded by boasting about the size of his rallies and pivoting to a baseless conspiracy theory about Haitian immigrants in Ohio. Harris dismissed the claim with a laugh, calling it extreme.
On the subject of abortion, Harris has been particularly vocal, speaking passionately about the consequences of recent statewide bans following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn the national law to abortion.
She warned that Trump would support a nationwide ban, a claim he denied.
Meanwhile, Trump accused Harris and Democrats of supporting infanticide, a false claim that moderator Linsey Davis said was illegal in every state. Harris responded by calling Trump’s remarks “a bunch of lies.”
Trump has also faced scrutiny because of his ties to Project 2025, a conservative policy plan to expand executive power and restrict environmental regulations.
Harris has sought to tie Trump to the plan, accusing him of supporting her most radical proposals, such as restricting access to abortion pills. Trump has distanced himself from the project, even though some of his advisers were involved in its creation.
On the economy, an issue that has consistently favored Trump according to opinion polls, the two candidates presented opposing views.
Harris criticized Trump’s plan to impose high tariffs on foreign goods, likening it to a tax on the middle class, and promoted her own tax benefit proposals targeting families and small businesses.
She further condemned Trump’s handling of the economy during his presidency, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, when unemployment soared.
Trump, in turn, criticized inflation levels under the Biden administration, even as he exaggerated the impact. He also returned to his campaign’s key theme of immigration, repeating unfounded claims that crime is increased by migrants crossing the U.S. southern border.
The candidates also addressed foreign policy, including the ongoing conflicts in Israel and Ukraine. Harris accused Trump of being willing to abandon U.S. support for Ukraine in favor of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a claim Trump has vehemently denied.
Trump responded by saying Harris “hates Israel,” which she strongly rejected.
This debate, the only one planned between the two candidates, took place just eight weeks before the November 5 election and just a few days before the start of early voting in several states.
Facing millions of viewers, both candidates faced risks and opportunities as they sought to energize their base and sway undecided voters.
For Harris, the debate was of particular importance. Entering the race only seven weeks ago after the departure of President Joe Biden, she had to introduce herself to voters who, according to polls, still felt they did not know much about her. His performance, particularly his attacks on Trump, sought to energize his supporters and draw a contrast between his vision and Trump’s policies.
Trump, who has been the subject of multiple court cases and investigations, has been under pressure to maintain his base while reaching out to undecided voters. His campaign strategy, which included personal attacks on Harris, was tempered early in the debate, but he became more agitated as the evening progressed.
He avoided some of his usual insults, but called Harris a “Marxist” at one point, a label that drew an amused response from Harris.
Close race in key states
The debate ended with a close race between the two candidates. Opinion polls have indicated the contest could come down to a small number of votes in key battleground states, meaning any shift in public opinion could prove decisive.
Polling averages compiled by The New York Times show that the candidates are effectively tied in seven swing states, highlighting the slim margin separating them.
The debate took place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and hosted by ABC News. Per the campaign agreement, there was no live audience and candidates’ microphones were muted when it was not their turn to speak.
Although presidential debates don’t always dramatically alter the trajectory of an election, they can influence public perception and change the dynamics of a race.
For both Trump and Harris, the stakes were high as they sought to present themselves as the best choice to lead the country in the years to come. With early voting looming, the debate marked a crucial moment in the campaign, setting the tone for the final weeks leading up to Election Day.
The first – and potentially only – presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is over. It was an action-packed 90 minutes that could impact the election. Here’s what you need to know.
