Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris attend the debate. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Key Takeaways from the Harris-Trump Debate

Harris Provokes Trump with Success

Kamala Harris effectively rattled Donald Trump during their first and potentially only debate ahead of the November 5 election. She targeted Trump’s history of making bizarre statements, such as his claim that windmills cause cancer, and mocked the exhaustion attendees experience at his rallies. Trump, visibly irritated, defended his rallies as the “biggest and most incredible in the history of politics” and accused Harris of busing in attendees.

At one point, Trump made an unsubstantiated claim that illegal immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were “eating people’s pets,” which was immediately debunked by city officials. Harris responded to this outlandish claim with laughter, saying, “Talk about extreme.”

Harris Puts Trump on the Defensive

Throughout the debate, Harris kept Trump on the defensive, especially concerning his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. When asked about the January 6 Capitol riot, Trump distanced himself from the event, falsely insisting he had won the 2020 election. Harris used this as a point to highlight Trump’s refusal to accept defeat, stating that “Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people.”

Trump further escalated the tension by suggesting Harris had taken over Biden’s role in a “coup,” claiming Biden “hates her.” Harris used this to strengthen her case that Trump lacks the temperament to serve as president.

Accusations of Weaponizing Justice

Both candidates accused each other of using the Department of Justice as a political weapon. Trump claimed his legal troubles, including indictments for election interference and mishandling classified documents, were part of a conspiracy orchestrated by Harris and Biden—though no evidence supports this claim.

Harris countered by pointing out Trump’s own statements about prosecuting his enemies if re-elected. She underscored Trump’s open disregard for the Constitution, portraying him as a threat to democracy.

Debate on Race

The debate addressed race after Trump was questioned about his past remarks on Harris’ heritage. Trump responded dismissively, claiming he didn’t care about her background. Harris accused Trump of a long history of using race to divide Americans, referencing his family’s discriminatory housing practices in the 1970s and his role in fueling the controversy over President Barack Obama’s citizenship.

Harris concluded by asserting that Americans desire a leader who unites rather than divides, saying, “We don’t want a leader who is constantly trying to have Americans point their fingers at each other.”

Economic Dispute

Economic policy dominated the early stages of the debate, with Harris highlighting her plans for tax credits for small businesses and start-ups. Trump, however, focused on tariffs and foreign competition, accusing Harris of having no clear plan. Harris appeared to put Trump on the defensive on a topic where he has traditionally held voter trust.

Schism on Abortion

The two candidates also clashed over abortion rights. Trump defended the 2022 Supreme Court decision that ended the constitutional protection for abortion, arguing that both Republicans and Democrats supported returning the issue to the states—a claim corrected by the debate moderators. Harris criticized this, highlighting the restrictive abortion bans passed in many states and warning of the harm to women’s healthcare.

Sharp Differences on Ukraine

The candidates revealed starkly different views on how to handle the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump, when asked if he wanted Ukraine to win the war, avoided a direct answer, instead emphasizing a quick end to the conflict. Harris accused Trump of favoring Ukraine’s capitulation to Russia, arguing that if Trump were president, “Putin would be sitting in Kyiv right now.”

Memorable Handshake

In a symbolic moment, Harris initiated a handshake with Trump before the debate began, introducing herself assertively. Despite Trump’s frequent attacks on her in the past, he accepted the gesture, which highlighted Harris’s confidence and determination to stand firm against her opponent.