In the first presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Harris clearly emerged as the more dominant participant. The debate, which lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes, showcased Harris’s strategic preparation and ability to throw Trump off his game.
From the outset, Harris took a proactive approach, making pointed remarks designed to unsettle Trump. She criticized him for his handling of international relations and his legal troubles, calling him a “disgrace” and highlighting the negative opinions of world leaders and military officials. Harris repeatedly jabbed at Trump’s record and even suggested that he was fired by the 81 million voters who supported President Joe Biden in 2020. This relentless critique seemed to provoke Trump, leading him to frequently respond with defensiveness rather than engaging with the issues at hand.
Trump’s performance was marked by a tendency to veer off-topic. He often repeated false claims, including debunked theories about widespread election fraud and outrageous statements about immigrants eating pets. These unfounded assertions drew laughs and visible reactions from Harris, who appeared content to let Trump dig himself deeper into controversy. His insistence on these falsehoods and conspiracy theories not only distracted from the substantive issues but also underscored his inability to stay focused on the debate’s central topics.
A particularly notable moment was when Harris pointed out Trump’s criminal convictions and legal issues. Trump’s reactions were erratic and defensive, including a bizarre outburst about immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, allegedly eating pets—claims that city officials and fact-checkers have thoroughly discredited. Harris, on the other hand, used her time effectively to address issues directly, including a compelling rebuttal to Trump’s controversial stances on abortion. She highlighted the real-world impacts of restrictive abortion policies and contrasted them sharply with Trump’s policies and rhetoric.
The debate also featured a significant exchange on the economy and Trump’s personal focus. Harris framed herself as a champion for middle-class Americans, contrasting her policy proposals with Trump’s alleged focus on benefiting billionaires and big corporations. She portrayed Trump as self-interested and out of touch, a narrative she reinforced throughout the debate.
As the debate concluded, Harris received a boost from a high-profile endorsement. Musician Taylor Swift publicly supported the Democratic ticket on Instagram, which resonated with Harris’s messaging and added to her momentum. Swift’s endorsement was a symbolic win for Harris, further emphasizing the contrast between her campaign and Trump’s.
Overall, Harris’s control over the debate’s flow, combined with her focused criticism and strategic handling of Trump’s numerous distractions, solidified her as the dominant force in this initial presidential clash.
