Donald Trump and Kamala Harris began the first presidential debate with a handshake - a gesture that was not present between Trump and Joe Biden in June. Harris went to her opponent's podium, not only to shake his hand, but also to officially introduce herself - Harris and Trump met for the first time tonight.
For 90 minutes, the two candidates for president of the United States answered questions about the economy, migration, abortion rights, US foreign and domestic policy. Here are the highlights from the only debate the two have scheduled so far, which comes at a critical juncture - when polls show the race is close.
Harris knocks Trump off balance
The US vice president managed to knock her opponent off balance by attacking him - with claims that his supporters leave his rallies early because they are bored and exhausted, with mockery of Trump's status on the world stage and more. Harris said that world leaders were mocking him - a blow that clearly irritated Trump, who became increasingly angry as the debate progressed.
Although, as the American publication "Politico" notes, those close to Donald Trump advised him to remain calm and control himself - the former president could not refrain from defending himself fervently. "People are not leaving my rallies. We have the biggest rallies, the most incredible rallies in the history of politics," Trump insisted, as Harris watched him, smiling and shaking his head. Analysts from the ABC news channel, which also hosted the debate, were also categorical - attacks on Trump supporters are a very effective way to derail him.
Migration, abortion rights and the economy
The debate opened with a question about the economy. Harris emphasized her "opportunity economy" plan and highlighted her proposals for more affordable housing and expanding the child tax credit. Trump has argued that his tariff plan will help Americans. Trump has proposed a 10% to 20% tariff on most goods imported into the United States, with the exception of Chinese goods, which would be subject to a 60% tariff.
However, on the first question, Trump shifted the focus to illegal immigration, which he says is the cause of most of the country's problems. The former president repeatedly raised the issue during the 90-minute debate, accusing Harris of allowing "criminals and people from mental health institutions" into the country. Trump even repeated the claim several times that immigrants eat the pet dogs and cats of Americans in the state of Ohio. This theory was refuted by the local administration, as ABC journalists reminded him.
On another key issue of this election - the right to abortion in the US, Trump once again claimed that his opponent supports abortion in the "seventh, eighth or ninth month" and even talked about "executions" of babies after they are born. This is not true - there is no state in the US where the killing of newborns is legal.
Ukraine, the war in Gaza and foreign policy
When asked whether he thought Ukraine should win the war with Russia, Donald Trump replied that "he wants the war to end". The former president complained that the US had provided $250-275 billion in aid to Ukraine, while European countries had only provided $100-150 billion, despite being closer to Ukraine. This is not true, according to data from the Kiel Institute for World Economics. Overall, European countries have provided significantly more aid to Ukraine than the US during and immediately before Russia's full-scale invasion. Harris attacked Trump here again, saying: "If Donald Trump were president, Putin would be sitting in Kiev right now."
The war in the Gaza Strip was also touched upon during the televised debate. The Democratic presidential candidate explained that Israel has the right to defend itself. Harris called for a solution based on the two-state solution, while Trump repeatedly claimed, as he did on various occasions during his election campaign, that Harris hates Israel. He also stated that the war would never have happened if he had been president.
A key moment in the race for the White House
With only two months to go before the election, the stakes were high for both candidates as Trump tried to focus his strategy against his new opponent. And Kamala Harris, who was forced to address voters on short notice, entered Tuesday night's showdown with far less experience on the debate stage than Trump. In her closing remarks, Harris said she was focused on the future, while Trump countered by calling the United States a "failed nation." Minutes after the debate ended, pop star Taylor Swift announced her endorsement of Kamala Harris for the White House.
The vice president's campaign has already requested another debate in October, but her opponents have not responded to the offer. Registered voters who watched the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on Tuesday think Harris did better, a CNN poll shows.
Author: Mina Kirkova