In the first debate between the two candidates, Trump and Harris sparred over abortion, the economy, and the border while avoiding new policy specifics.
PHILADELPHIA—Americans had a chance to hear from both sides in a debate that saw Vice President Kamala Harris square off against former President Donald Trump for the first time.
The Sept. 10 ABC News broadcast from Philadelphia was contentious at times, with both candidates speaking over each other and lobbing personal attacks. No new policy specifics were raised by either candidate, and Trump and Harris presented contrasting visions on the economy, abortion, and foreign policy.
After the debate, Republicans in the spin room alleged moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis showed bias toward Harris. Former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy described the debate as a “three-on-one fight” against Trump, while Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) questioned the fairness of ABC’s fact-checking.
Democrats, meanwhile, accused Trump of looking defensive against a new and yet familiar candidate. Also in the spin room, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Harris “exceeded all expectations.”
Here are some of the main themes that emerged from the first presidential debate with Harris as the Democratic candidate.
Harris Distances Herself From Biden as Trump Links Them
While the election previously paired a former president against incumbent President Joe Biden, nominee Harris sought to carve out her own place while garnering credit for what she characterized as a positive record from her administration.
“Remember this—she is Biden,” Trump said toward the end of the debate. He attributed high inflation and the administration’s energy policies to Harris, along with its border policies.
“Clearly, I am not Joe Biden,” Harris said, adding that she would provide “a new leadership for our country” while touting her administration’s record on energy, the economy, and more.
Harris’s remarks echoed comments earlier in the evening amid a discussion on foreign policy.
After saying the world was on the verge of World War III, Trump questioned Biden’s fitness for office, asking, “Where is our president?”
“You’re not running against Joe Biden. You’re running against me,” Harris said a few moments later.
By Nathan Worcester, Jacob Burg, Andrew Moran, Joseph Lord
Janice Hisle and Jan Jekielek contributed to this report.
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