In a heated presidential debate held on Tuesday night, U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump clashed on several major issues as they both aimed to sway voters ahead of the November election. Trump is looking to recover ground after Harris’ recent entry into the race diminished his lead over President Joe Biden. For Harris, the debate was an opportunity to introduce herself and her policies to voters who may be less familiar with her. Here are the major findings from the discussion.
Economy and Health Care:
Harris proposed extending the tax cut for families with children and a tax deduction for small businesses. She criticized Trump’s plan to impose broad tariffs on foreign goods, calling it a “sales tax” that would ultimately burden American consumers. Trump, on the other hand, attacked the Biden administration’s handling of inflation and the cost of living, arguing that his tariffs would bring more revenue into the U.S. to strengthen the economy. Trump also disputed Harris’ claims about the economic impact of the pandemic, calling the jobs recovered under Biden “bounce-back” jobs. When it came to health care, Trump was vague about his plans, stating only that he had “concepts”.
Abortion:
Trump portraying the overturning of Roe v. Wade as a positive achievement. He dodged direct questions about whether he would veto a national abortion ban, initially claiming it wouldn’t reach his desk and later suggesting his running mate JD Vance had misspoken. Trump also made false claims about Democrats wanting to allow late-term abortions and even infanticide, which the moderator refuted. Harris vowed to restore Roe’s protections through legislation and highlighted the severe impact of abortion bans on women, particularly in states with no exceptions for rape or incest.
Gaza and Ukraine:
Harris expressed support for Israel’s right to self-defense while advocating for a ceasefire, the return of hostages, and a two-state solution in Gaza. Trump accused Harris of harbouring animosity towards both Israel and the Arab population, but did not outline his own plans to address the conflict. On Ukraine, Trump avoided directly stating whether he wanted Ukraine to win its war with Russia, instead expressing a desire for the war to end and claiming he could mediate a resolution. Harris committed to supporting Ukraine and criticized Trump’s vague stance, suggesting he would be easily influenced by Putin and other dictators.
Election Integrity:
Trump did not condemn the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and repeated false claims of voter fraud. Harris warned that Trump might attempt to overturn the will of voters again if he loses. She emphasized that Trump was rejected by 81 million voters and was struggling to accept this defeat.
Immigration:
Trump revived a conspiracy theory about Haitian migrants allegedly eating pets in Ohio, despite a lack of evidence and local denials. He also accused Harris and the Biden administration of allowing illegal immigration and criminals into the country. Harris countered by pointing out Trump’s previous attempts to block bipartisan immigration reform.
Personal Attacks:
Trump frequently interrupted the moderators and Harris, often getting the final word on many topics. He told Harris to “quiet, please” and made derogatory comments about her racial identity, which she rebutted by highlighting Trump’s divisive use of race. Harris also criticized Trump’s rallies as exhausting and unremarkable, while Trump defended their size and enthusiasm.
Overall, the debate was marked by contentious exchanges and sharp contrasts in policy and personality between the two candidates.
