US Debate: Donald Trump and Kamala Harris clash over the economy, migration and abortion rights
The debate began on time with a handshake between the two candidates, who disagreed on issues such as the economy, immigration and abortion rights. Kamala Harris said she will lower taxes for the middle class and accused the Republican opponent of having no plan for the economy. Donald Trump, meanwhile, blamed immigrants for being "terrorists," stealing American jobs, eating pets and destroying the country. The former president - who denies having been involved in the storming of the Capitol or losing the 2020 election - called the Democrats "radicals," equating their abortion laws with the "execution" of babies.
Tuesday's historic debate was the first between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris and began with a rare handshake initiated by the vice president, who introduced herself by name, in a reminder that this was the first time the two politicians had met in person. The Democratic candidate spoke first, for two minutes, opening the debate with the topic of the economy and the cost of living.
“I was raised middle class, and I am the only person on this stage with a plan to lift up the middle class and working class of America. I believe in the ambition, the aspirations, the dreams of Americans, and that is why I believe I have a plan to build what will be an economy of opportunity.”
According to the vice president, "there is a lack of housing and the cost of housing is too high for many people"
“I have a vision for this country,” said Kamala Harris. “I want to expand a tax break for parents, so that young families can buy a crib, a car seat, clothes for their baby.”
He then invoked his own family's history to say that he loves “small and medium-sized companies” and promised tax reductions for them. “My opponent will do the opposite, cut taxes for millionaires.”
Donald Trump began his speech by responding to his opponent: “First of all there is no sales tax and that is completely wrong.”
The Republican candidate denied his opponent's claims about the economy and recalled that he applied tariffs to “several countries around the world”. “One billion dollars came from China.”
Donald Trump also criticized inflation: “In my case, there were tariffs. There was no inflation.”
The Republican candidate denied his opponent's claims about the economy and recalled that he applied tariffs to “several countries around the world”. “One billion dollars came from China.”
Donald Trump also criticized inflation: “In my case, there were tariffs. There was no inflation.”
After the economic part, Donald Trump went on the attack on migration: “Thousands of people are coming into the country and occupying it,” he continued, blaming migrants for taking many American jobs.
“These are the people that this lady and President Biden have allowed into our country and are destroying it ,” he said. “These are dangerous people. They are at the highest level of criminality. We have to get them out of the country . ”
“These are the people that this lady and President Biden have allowed into our country and are destroying it ,” he said. “These are dangerous people. They are at the highest level of criminality. We have to get them out of the country . ”
Harris "copies Biden's plan" for the economy
“Donald Trump has left us with the highest unemployment rate since the Great Depression,” Kamala counterattacked. “He left us the worst epidemic in a century. Donald Trump left us the worst attack on democracy since the Civil War.”
“What we did was clean up what he did. What I intend to do is build on what we know are the aspirations and hopes of the American people.”
“What we did was clean up what he did. What I intend to do is build on what we know are the aspirations and hopes of the American people.”
“You’re going to hear a lot of lies in this debate ,” he continued. “You’re going to hear about this so-called ‘Project 2025’ that he wants to implement,” referring to the Heritage Foundation program run by some of Trump’s associates, from which he has distanced himself.
“And I believe the American people want a president who understands the importance of coming together.”
Trump, for his part, denies any involvement.
“I have absolutely nothing to do with Project 2025, I haven’t even read it, nor will I read it.”
Trump, for his part, denies any involvement.
“I have absolutely nothing to do with Project 2025, I haven’t even read it, nor will I read it.”
“Everyone knows what I’m going to do: I’m going to cut taxes and create a great economy. Just like I did before,” he said, pointing to the COVID-19 pandemic as the main reason for the crisis.
“We did a fabulous job during the pandemic.”
The Republican presidential candidate called the vice president a "Marxist" and accused her of not having her own economic plans, copying policies of the current president, Joe Biden.
“We did a fabulous job during the pandemic.”
The Republican presidential candidate called the vice president a "Marxist" and accused her of not having her own economic plans, copying policies of the current president, Joe Biden.
"She doesn't have a plan. She copied Biden's plan and it boils down to four sentences. Four sentences that are just 'let's try to cut taxes.' She has no program," Trump said during the first debate between the two candidates in Philadelphia. The former president again claimed that inflation in the United States is "probably the worst in history" of the United States, a false claim that the American press quickly clarified, although noting that inflation under the current Biden administration has been higher than normal in recent years.
“If she is elected, (…) it will be the end of our country. She is a Marxist. Everyone knows it. Her father is a Marxist, he is a professor of Marxism and he taught her very well.”
Donald Trump later returned to the topic of migration.
Donald Trump later returned to the topic of migration.
“Millions of people are coming into the country. Criminals. This is bad for our economy.”
And he again accused Democrats of “destroying the country” with “crazy policies.”
And he again accused Democrats of “destroying the country” with “crazy policies.”
"Old rhetoric"
Throughout the debate, Kamala Harris returned repeatedly to her economic message, saying that, contrary to Trump's "old rhetoric", she has a plan to make goods cheaper and housing more affordable.
Asked about her change of opinion regarding fracking, a method of extracting hydrocarbons from the ground, Harris assured that she will not ban it and that she did not ban it while vice president. This is a crucial question in Pennsylvania, a swing state where the candidates are tied.
Asked about her change of opinion regarding fracking, a method of extracting hydrocarbons from the ground, Harris assured that she will not ban it and that she did not ban it while vice president. This is a crucial question in Pennsylvania, a swing state where the candidates are tied.
“I was the vote that passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which opened up new fracking permits ,” Harris said. “ What I am arguing is that we need to invest in diverse energy sources to reduce dependence on foreign oil,” she said, noting the huge increase in domestic oil exploration under the Biden administration.
“I have a plan for the opportunity economy ,” he declared, contrasting it with Donald Trump’s plan to cut taxes again for corporations and millionaires.
“I have a plan for the opportunity economy ,” he declared, contrasting it with Donald Trump’s plan to cut taxes again for corporations and millionaires.
Discord over abortion laws
One of the most controversial topics of this debate was abortion, with Trump's allegations about "baby executions" and late-term abortions in some US states standing out.
“They have abortion in the ninth month,” pointed out Donald Trump, accusing the former governor of West Virginia said that “babies are born and then we see what we’re going to do.”
“They have abortion in the ninth month,” pointed out Donald Trump, accusing the former governor of West Virginia said that “babies are born and then we see what we’re going to do.”
“They were going to kill the babies,” the Republican continued. “The Democrats are radical on this issue.”
“Vice President Tim Walz is a terrible choice,” he added, saying the Democrat supports the “executions” of babies.
“I don’t agree with any of that,” the former president said. “I believe in exceptions for rape, incest, danger to the life of the mother.”
“Vice President Tim Walz is a terrible choice,” he added, saying the Democrat supports the “executions” of babies.
“I don’t agree with any of that,” the former president said. “I believe in exceptions for rape, incest, danger to the life of the mother.”
Addressing the Roe v. Wade law — which placed the decision to ban abortion in the hands of the states — Donald Trump advocated its repeal.
“States are voting for the first time. It was a divisive issue in our country. All the pundits, Democrats, Republicans, liberals, they can vote ,” he said. “I did an incredible job.”
In response to the "baby executions", Kamala repeated: "you will hear a lot of lies."
According to Kamala, Trump's appointment of several Supreme Court justices was "intended to end the protection of Roe v. Wade and that's what they did."
“States are voting for the first time. It was a divisive issue in our country. All the pundits, Democrats, Republicans, liberals, they can vote ,” he said. “I did an incredible job.”
In response to the "baby executions", Kamala repeated: "you will hear a lot of lies."
According to Kamala, Trump's appointment of several Supreme Court justices was "intended to end the protection of Roe v. Wade and that's what they did."
“There are Trump laws that do not provide exceptions even for violations ,” he says, referring to the application made by some states. “It is immoral.”
“The decision of what a woman does with her body should not be made by the government,” concluded Kamala Harris.
“The decision of what a woman does with her body should not be made by the government,” concluded Kamala Harris.
“That’s a lie,” Trump responded, admitting that he will not ban abortion at the federal level, once again arguing that states should have the power to legalize or illegalize abortion.
“I fully support reinstating the protections of Roe v. Wade ,” the Democratic candidate said clearly.
Next, I wanted to clarify that “There is no place in America where a woman carries a pregnancy to full term and then asks for an abortion” — referring to the issue of “executions” raised by Trump.
“This is insulting to any woman in America ,” she lamented.
“I fully support reinstating the protections of Roe v. Wade ,” the Democratic candidate said clearly.
Next, I wanted to clarify that “There is no place in America where a woman carries a pregnancy to full term and then asks for an abortion” — referring to the issue of “executions” raised by Trump.
“This is insulting to any woman in America ,” she lamented.
Immigrants eat pets, says Trump
Donald Trump repeated allegations made in Republican circles in Tuesday's debate that illegal immigrants are "eating the pets" of US citizens.
Donald Trump repeated allegations made in Republican circles in Tuesday's debate that illegal immigrants are "eating the pets" of US citizens.
“In Springfield, they are eating dogs. People who come in are eating cats. They are eating the pets of the people who live there,” the former head of state accused, before being reminded by the debate moderator that these allegations have been officially debunked.
“Our country is losing. We are a nation that continues to fail. Our country is losing itself. We are going to have a third world war because millions of people are coming into our country.”
“Our country is losing. We are a nation that continues to fail. Our country is losing itself. We are going to have a third world war because millions of people are coming into our country.”
“She is destroying our country,” he said.
Laughing, Harris responded: “for talking about extreme things,” she joked, then referring to the support she received from several well-known Republican politicians, “including former Vice President Dick Cheney.”
“And if you want to know who the former president really is, ask the people who worked with him,” he says, citing criticism from Trump administration officials like John Kelly and General Mattis.
“And if you want to know who the former president really is, ask the people who worked with him,” he says, citing criticism from Trump administration officials like John Kelly and General Mattis.
The Republican tycoon again claimed that the Joe Biden and Kamala Harris administration has allowed "millions of criminals" into the country and that this has led to crime rates "around the world" falling.
"They destroyed the fabric of our country ," he charged.
The Republican politician further stated that The United States will become a "Venezuela on steroids" if her Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, becomes President.
"They destroyed the fabric of our country ," he charged.
The Republican politician further stated that The United States will become a "Venezuela on steroids" if her Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, becomes President.
“I am the only person here who has accused international organizations of trafficking in weapons, drugs and human beings,” Harris responded. “And let me tell you that the United States Congress, including some of the most conservative members, got a border security bill that I supported. That bill included 50,000 more agents on the border to help those who are working overtime do their jobs . ”
“It would have allowed us to stop the flow of fentanyl coming through our borders ,” he said. “But Trump called some people in Congress and said, ‘Kill this bill.’”
“It would have allowed us to stop the flow of fentanyl coming through our borders ,” he said. “But Trump called some people in Congress and said, ‘Kill this bill.’”
Americans, in Kamala's view, “need a leader who is engaged in solutions, who deals with the problems at hand.”
“He’s going to talk a lot about immigration tonight,” the candidate added. “I invite you to watch a Donald Trump rally, because it’s very interesting. He talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter. He talks about windmills causing cancer. And people leave early, exhausted and bored. What he doesn’t talk about is you and your needs and your dreams and your hopes.”
“He’s going to talk a lot about immigration tonight,” the candidate added. “I invite you to watch a Donald Trump rally, because it’s very interesting. He talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter. He talks about windmills causing cancer. And people leave early, exhausted and bored. What he doesn’t talk about is you and your needs and your dreams and your hopes.”
"Nothing to do" with the invasion of the Capitol
When asked about the invasion of the Capitol, Donald Trump assured that he had “nothing to do” with the incident, stressing that he supported “peaceful and patriotic” protests and that he was invited to speak that day.
Shooting at police who shot down pro-Trump protesters, the former president once again insisted on the issue of migration.
“And when will people who enter our country be judged and sentenced? She [Kamala] is the border czar.”
When asked about the invasion of the Capitol, Donald Trump assured that he had “nothing to do” with the incident, stressing that he supported “peaceful and patriotic” protests and that he was invited to speak that day.
Shooting at police who shot down pro-Trump protesters, the former president once again insisted on the issue of migration.
“And when will people who enter our country be judged and sentenced? She [Kamala] is the border czar.”
Confronted again with the January 6 invasion, Trump blamed Nancy Pelosi, the former leader of the House of Representatives, and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser. “I was at the Capitol on January 6th,” Kamala Harris began by responding. “On that day, the president of the United States incited a violent mob.”
Harris then recalled that this was not an “isolated” situation and recalled the Charlottesville protests, “where there were people with torches spewing anti-Semitic hatred”. “And what did Trump say? That there were ‘good people on both sides’”.
Harris then recalled that this was not an “isolated” situation and recalled the Charlottesville protests, “where there were people with torches spewing anti-Semitic hatred”. “And what did Trump say? That there were ‘good people on both sides’”.
The Democrat linked the assault in Washington DC to other moments, from Charlottesville to the far-right Proud Boys militias.
“If you don’t agree with this, there is a place for you in this campaign.”
Donald Trump then insisted that he won the 2020 presidential election and assured that there is “evidence”. “I had more votes than any runner-up,” argues.
But the opponent reacted and recalled that “Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people”.
“When he comes to this debate and denies that he lost these court cases [about the elections] it makes us think that perhaps this candidate does not have the temperament or the ability to not get confused about the facts. That is worrying,” he says, questioning the mental acuity of the former head of state.
“When he comes to this debate and denies that he lost these court cases [about the elections] it makes us think that perhaps this candidate does not have the temperament or the ability to not get confused about the facts. That is worrying,” he says, questioning the mental acuity of the former head of state.
Trump "manipulated" by authoritarian leaders
Kamala Harris accused Donald Trump of being weak on foreign policy and easily manipulated by authoritarian leaders, "with flattery and favors."
"It is well known that Donald Trump is weak and misguided on national security and foreign policy ," Kamala Harris said, saying that her opponent "admires dictators" and wants to be one himself.
"If Donald Trump were president, Putin would be sitting in Kiev right now ," Harris said, arguing that the Republican's plan to resolve the invasion of Ukraine is to cede the country to Russia.
"It is well known that Donald Trump is weak and misguided on national security and foreign policy ," Kamala Harris said, saying that her opponent "admires dictators" and wants to be one himself.
"If Donald Trump were president, Putin would be sitting in Kiev right now ," Harris said, arguing that the Republican's plan to resolve the invasion of Ukraine is to cede the country to Russia.
The Democrat also cited past statements by the former president about the invasion of Ukraine being a "brilliant" act by Vladimir Putin and mentioned letters exchanged with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.
"They [dictators] can manipulate him with flattery and favors," he said, claiming that military leaders call Trump a "disgrace."
"They [dictators] can manipulate him with flattery and favors," he said, claiming that military leaders call Trump a "disgrace."
Donald Trump has no doubt that he wants “the war to end,” but he has not said whether Ukraine should win the conflict.
And addressing European countries, Trump said NATO countries are not paying enough because “Biden doesn’t have the courage to ask Europe.”
Trump admitted to having a “good relationship” with Zelensky and Putin and that he intends to talk to both of them to end the war soon. In his opinion, the Russian and Ukrainian leaders “do not respect” Biden, also criticizing the fact that the current Head of State does not contact the Russian leader.
“I’m going to resolve the war before I’m president. I’m going to talk to one, I’m going to talk to another, I’m going to bring them together,” Donald Trump assured, referring to Zelensky and Putin.
Trump admitted to having a “good relationship” with Zelensky and Putin and that he intends to talk to both of them to end the war soon. In his opinion, the Russian and Ukrainian leaders “do not respect” Biden, also criticizing the fact that the current Head of State does not contact the Russian leader.
“I’m going to resolve the war before I’m president. I’m going to talk to one, I’m going to talk to another, I’m going to bring them together,” Donald Trump assured, referring to Zelensky and Putin.
On the conflict in Gaza, Harris said she would "always" support Israel's right to defend itself, but that the war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip "must end immediately" and that the solution to the conflict is a two-state solution.
Kamala Harris recalled that, “on October 7, Hamas, a terrorist organization, massacred 1,200 Israelis.”
“Israel has the right to defend itself, we would do so too,” stated. But then the candidate stressed that “too many innocent people are being killed” in Gaza.
“Israel has the right to defend itself, we would do so too,” stated. But then the candidate stressed that “too many innocent people are being killed” in Gaza.
“This war must end ,” he stressed, adding that the Biden administration “continues to work around the clock” to achieve a solution that guarantees security for Israel and the right to self-determination for Palestinians.
“We have to have a two-state solution.” Seeking to agitate Trump, he blamed him for the bad withdrawal agreement from Afghanistan, which was negotiated during the previous administration but happened during the Joe Biden administration with disastrous results.
“We have to have a two-state solution.” Seeking to agitate Trump, he blamed him for the bad withdrawal agreement from Afghanistan, which was negotiated during the previous administration but happened during the Joe Biden administration with disastrous results.
"We are a failed nation"
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump faced off for the first time on Tuesday in a historic presidential debate that could define the race for the White House.
In the final message of the debate, Kamala Harris concluded that on stage “two very different visions for our country clashed: one focused on the future and the other on the past.”
“But we will not turn back,” he declared, stressing that his focus is to help realize “the dreams, hopes and ambitions of the American people.”
“But we will not turn back,” he declared, stressing that his focus is to help realize “the dreams, hopes and ambitions of the American people.”
Trump took advantage of his final statements to call his opponent the "worst vice president in history."
The Republican candidate also stated that the American people “do not believe” in many of the things that Kamala Harris defends.
“We are a failed nation. We are in serious decline. We are being laughed at. Foreign leaders call me and they don’t understand what is going on. We are not a leader. We have no idea,” he said.
“We are a failed nation. We are in serious decline. We are being laughed at. Foreign leaders call me and they don’t understand what is going on. We are not a leader. We have no idea,” he said.
Hosted by ABC News, the debate took place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and was governed by the same rules that were dictated for the historic June debate between Trump and current President and former Democratic candidate Joe Biden, who ended up dropping out of the race after a poor performance in that confrontation.
ABC News journalists David Muir and Linsey Davis moderated the debate, the only one scheduled so far between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, so it could be the first and only time voters will see the two politicians face off before the election.
ABC News journalists David Muir and Linsey Davis moderated the debate, the only one scheduled so far between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, so it could be the first and only time voters will see the two politicians face off before the election.
RTP
