The very beginning of the debate was different from last time – both opposing candidates shook hands when Harris came to Trump’s podium. During the previous debate in June, the Republican ex-president did not shake hands with Democratic President Joe Biden.
Photo: Brian Snyder, Reuters
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris debate
Ex-President: I just want an end to the war
The war in Ukraine, which has been resisting a large-scale Russian invasion for over two years, was also discussed. The presenter recalls Trump’s claim that he would “end the war within 24 hours”.
In the debate, Trump repeatedly refused to answer a direct question about whether he wanted Ukraine to win and whether it was in the US interest. “I want the war to end,” Trump replied, saying that he knows Russian and Ukrainian presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyi well, and that they both respect him. It is said that he would make both of them work together. “I think it’s in the best interest of the United States to end this war — and just do it, negotiate a deal,” Trump said.
“I think the reason Donald Trump is saying this war will be over in 24 hours is because he would just give up,” said Harris, who defended Washington’s current support for Kiev.
Photo: Brian Snyder, Reuters
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris debate
Both candidates also defended their economic plans. “I’m the only person on the stage who has a plan to lift up the middle class and the working people of America,” said Harris, who accused Trump of only wanting to cut taxes for the rich.
Trump on Harris: She’s a Marxist
Trump accused Harris that she, along with Biden, is responsible for high inflation and the influx of migrants, which, according to him, is destroying the American economy. “Everyone knows she’s a Marxist,” he said to his opponent.
Another topic was the issue of abortion. Harris warned that Trump would implement a nationwide abortion ban if elected. The Republican rejected it, saying that he would only leave the status quo – after the US Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion, individual states have authority over this issue – Republican-controlled states have already begun to vigorously tighten their abortion laws.
Harris has repeatedly tried to connect Trump with the so-called Project 2025, which was created in the circle of former associates of the ex-president and contains a number of ultra-conservative measures. Trump has denied having anything to do with the 900-page document. “I purposely didn’t even read it,” the Republican said.
Vice President: Crime? He himself is prosecuted
When asked about migration, Trump talked about rising crime and also mentioned a bizarre claim circulating among some of his supporters – that migrants are eating the pets of people living in the city of Springfield, Ohio. “They eat dogs. They eat the pets of the people who live there,” said the former Republican president. Moderators point out that, according to the city management, these are unfounded claims.
Photo: Adam Gray, Reuters
Republican supporters in New York watching the Trump-Harris debate
Harris, a former prosecutor, used Trump’s speech about “migrant crimes” to counterattack. “I think it’s typical of someone who is being prosecuted for crimes against national security, economic crimes, election interference,” the vice president said. “These are bogus cases,” Trump retorted, saying they were cases started by his political opponents.
Trump continues to claim that he won the last election
Trump repeated his baseless claims that he actually won the 2020 presidential election, in which he lost to Biden by more than seven million votes, according to official results. He said there was “so much evidence” and talked about voting by illegal migrants, but did not go into details.
“Donald Trump got 81 million people out of a job and he’s obviously having a hard time processing it,” Harris said as the former president gave a sarcastic grin.
Photo: Marta Lavandier, CTK/AP
Democratic supporters in Miami watching the Trump-Harris debate
Ex-president: Why didn’t she fulfill her promises?
Both candidates gave short statements at the end. Harris was the first to speak, according to which Americans will be choosing between two very different visions. “One is focused on the future and the other is focused on the past and wants to pull us back. But we will not go back,” said the vice president.
“He says he will do this and this and that. So why hasn’t she done it already?” Trump concluded, noting that Vice President Harris has been part of the current administration for more than three years. According to him, the United States is a “failing” country and his opponent is the “worst vice president” in US history.
No audience in the studio, alternating mics
The debate between Trump and Harris at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia was their first and so far only confirmed televised duel before the Nov. 5 election.
Trump and Harris answered questions from two hosts, David Muir and Linsey Davis, in Tuesday’s debate, eight weeks before the official election day, but just days before the first people in some of the 50 US states begin casting their ballots by mail.
Trump told ABC News last week marked for “very hostile territory”, saying it was “the worst station in terms of fairness”.
Surveys both nationally and in key states point to a very tight race between Trump and Harris. It is so crucial for both candidates to present themselves in the best possible light in the debate to the small number of undecided voters. Current survey for The New York Times showed that the stakes are high for Harris in particular — 28 percent of those polled said they still needed to learn more about her, while only nine percent said the same about Trump.
Harris, according to the station CNN she was preparing for Tuesday’s debate at a hotel in Pittsburgh, located in the same location as the debate venue in the state of Pennsylvania. According to US media, there she and her team held several mock debates with an opponent representing Trump. Part of the rehearsal was TV lighting and presenters who asked her sharp questions.
A key duel in the USA. Harris trains in practice debates, Trump learns not to be too aggressive
US elections
Photo: Profimedia.cz
Preparations for the televised debate between Trump and Harris in Philadelphia
Trump, on the other hand, rejected preparation in the form of mock debates and instead held several briefings with his advisers before the televised duel. One of them station BBC said that the former president was more focused on “fine-tuning the stage performance of his performance” than on specific details of the political agenda before the televised duel.
The only debate this year between the presidential candidates of the Republican and Democratic parties on June 27 was won by Trump, who also clashed with President Joe Biden. Biden gave a poor performance, speaking slurred and with difficulty at times, and less than a month later he gave up his re-election campaign. Vice President Kamala Harris then took the Democratic presidential candidate’s place.
During Tuesday’s debate, the same rules applied as in June. Each candidate’s microphone remained muted while their opponent spoke. Each candidate had two minutes to answer the moderator’s question and the other candidate had one minute to respond. The debate was broadcast live on television, but there were no spectators in the studio.
“Nostradamus” predicted the outcome of the US election. He was wrong only once in 40 years
US elections
Photo: Brian Snyder, Reuters
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris debate
