Former President Donald Trump appeared to struggle in his first head-to-head debate with Kamala Harris in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening. He provided rambling answers on topics such as illegal immigration, abortion, and the economy, and frequently took the bait whenever goaded by his opponent.
The debate started unexpectedly with a handshake between the candidates, catching Trump off guard. Once it began, Trump went off on tangents about his rally crowd sizes, the whereabouts of Joe Biden, and debunked claims about Haitian immigrants eating pets in Ohio.
In contrast, Harris used her time to highlight Trump’s legacy of racist attacks, professional failures, and his role in the Capitol riot. Shortly after the debate, pop superstar Taylor Swift formally announced her endorsement of Harris, dealing yet another blow to Trump’s campaign.
NY Times: Recap: Harris Baits Trump in Pivotal Debate as He Loses Control and Lies about Immigrants ‘Eating Pets’ and Abortion
In the debate, Vice President Kamala Harris outperformed Donald Trump, goading and baiting him into anger by suggesting that his rally attendees often left early due to “exhaustion and boredom.” Trump reacted bitterly, insisting on the entertainment value of his events and falsely claiming that Harris had to “bus” people into hers. He declared, “People don’t leave my rallies. We have the biggest rallies, the most incredible rallies in the history of politics.”
Trump also made a heated statement about immigration, repeating a debunked conspiracy theory about Haitian immigrants eating stolen domestic pets in Ohio. Harris, on the other hand, delivered a powerful response on abortion, highlighting the immoral nature of banning exceptions even for rape and incest survivors.
Throughout the debate, Harris challenged Trump’s claims, corrected his misinformation, and showcased her vision for America’s future. She also emphasized Trump’s failures and lack of support from military leaders and Republicans. Meanwhile, Trump struggled to maintain control and was corrected on several issues by moderator Linsey Davis.
Unhinged Trump Goes Off the Rails as Harris Focuses on Policy in 2024 Debate
The first and potentially last face-to-face exchange between Trump and Harris provided starkly different visions of America’s future. While Harris focused on policy and engaging in productive discussions, Trump appeared unhinged and went off on tangents. The debate showcased the contrasting styles and realities of the two candidates.
Taylor Swift Endorses Harris after Debate and Calls Herself “Childless Cat Lady”
After the debate, pop megastar Taylor Swift officially endorsed Kamala Harris and signed off her Instagram post as “Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady,” in a clear jab at Trump’s deputy, JD Vance. Swift, who holds influence with younger voters, praised Harris for fighting for the causes she believes in.
Snap Poll after Debate Reveals State of Presidential Race between Trump and Harris
A CNN flash poll conducted by SSRS immediately after the debate showed that 45% of registered voters viewed Harris favorably, compared to 39% before the debate. However, 44% of registered voters viewed Harris unfavorably in the aftermath. In contrast, opinions of Trump remained largely unchanged, with 39% rating him favorably and 51% unfavorably.
Lindsey Graham Admits Debate Was a “Disaster” for Trump
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham admitted in the post-debate spin room that the debate was a “disaster” for Trump. This candid admission contrasts with Graham’s previous public statements.
Where’s Melania Trump? Former First Lady Missing from Presidential Debate
Melania Trump was notably absent from the presidential debate in Philadelphia. While a entourage of Trump supporters and campaign staff accompanied him, Melania was not among them. Her whereabouts during the debate remain unknown.
Watch: Tim Walz Says Trump “Like an Old Man Shouting at the Clouds” During Debate
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz commented on Trump’s performance during the debate, comparing him to “an old man shouting at the clouds.” This remark underscores the perception of Trump’s behavior during the event.
Truth Social: Trump Gaslights with Claims of “Big Win” in “Three on One” Brawl
Following the debate, Trump attempted to gaslight by declaring victory using memes and partisan opinion polls. He also shared a spurious video to support his absurd attacks. Trump claimed that the debate was a “three on one” contest, suggesting bias from the moderators.
Trump Takes to Spin Room to Tell Reporters It Was his “Best Debate” Ever
Breaking with tradition, Trump personally appeared in the media spin room after the debate instead of leaving it to his surrogates. He insisted that it was the best debate he’s ever had and claimed that Harris had been beaten. While Trump tried to control the narrative, it was suggested that his appearance indicated he knew the night had not gone well for him.
