With less than two months until the U.S. presidential election, Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris clashed in a high-stakes debate in Philadelphia. The debate began with an unexpected handshake initiated by Harris as she approached Trump, an awkward but significant gesture that broke an eight-year streak without such a pleasantry in presidential debates.
Harris quickly went on the offensive, challenging Trump on his handling of foreign affairs, particularly his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Putin will eat you for lunch," Harris said, accusing Trump of being too soft on dictators and suggesting that he would easily capitulate to Russian interests if re-elected. She emphasized that Trump's perceived friendship with Putin could lead to disastrous consequences for Europe, including the possibility of Russian expansion into Ukraine and beyond.
Trump countered by vowing to end the war in Ukraine if he returned to power. "I think it's in the U.S.'s best interest to get this war finished," Trump declared. However, Harris sharply criticized Trump's past interactions with Putin, highlighting how world leaders view him as a liability. "I have traveled the world as Vice President of the United States. World leaders are laughing at Donald Trump. They say you are a disgrace," she remarked, portraying him as out of touch with the current global dynamics.
Throughout the debate, Harris displayed her wit and composure, deflecting Trump's attacks with sharp retorts. When Trump attempted to critique the Biden administration's performance, Harris shot back, saying, "You are not running against Biden." She also accused Trump of lacking a clear economic plan and slammed his proposal for a tax cut that she argued would primarily benefit billionaires and large corporations.
Trump, on his part, accused Harris of being a dangerous "Marxist" and criticized her track record on immigration, claiming she allowed massive illegal immigration that threatened American jobs. He made a controversial statement about immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, saying, "In Springfield, they're eating the dogs. The people that came in. They're eating the cats. They're eating the pets of the people that live there." The debate moderator quickly interjected, clarifying that there were no credible reports of such incidents in Springfield.
Harris took aim at Trump's role in the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, pointing out the lasting impact on abortion rights across the country. "Now in over 20 states, there are Trump abortion bans which make it criminal for a doctor or nurse to provide health care," she said. Harris condemned these laws, noting that some impose life sentences without exceptions for rape or incest.
The debate also touched on other major topics, including the conflict in Gaza and the U.S. economy. Trump portrayed Harris as weak on defense, predicting that her presidency would lead to World War 3. Harris dismissed these claims, reiterating that Trump's admiration for dictators like Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong-un made him a liability for America.
The debate concluded without a live audience, as both candidates made their closing arguments directly to viewers at home. Harris appealed to voters by promising to cut living costs and restore abortion rights, while Trump focused on his vision of economic recovery and stronger immigration controls.
Following the debate, Harris received a boost from pop superstar Taylor Swift, who publicly endorsed her on Instagram, calling Harris a "steady-handed, gifted leader." Swift's support added a pop culture element to the political showdown, which may influence young voters.
As the election draws nearer, polls remain tight. Harris currently leads slightly, but the debate's impact on the race remains to be seen. Both candidates have expressed confidence in their performance, with Trump calling it his "best debate ever" and Harris stressing the need to continue fighting for American values.
