**Trump Vs Harris: Key Highlights of the First Presidential Debate for 2024 US Election**
Republican former President Donald Trump and Democrat Vice-President Kamala Harris recently faced off in their first presidential debate. This event is poised to significantly influence the 2024 US election set for November 5. With early voting starting this month and polling day just around the corner, the debate offered an insightful glimpse into the presidential race.
Broadcasted from Philadelphia, the debate was intense, covering contentious topics such as abortion rights, healthcare, and the economy.
Here are 3 major takeaways from the Donald Trump-Kamala Harris Presidential Debate 2024:
### 1. Body Language: Confident Harris vs. Defensive Trump
Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic presidential candidate after Joe Biden exited the race in July, displayed confidence in her first presidential debate. Harris was sharp and focused, contrasting with Biden’s previous debates where he faced criticism for his incoherence.
Meeting Trump for the first time officially, Harris approached him assertively, offering a handshake despite the ongoing racist attacks against her. When questioned about his remarks on Harris’s heritage, Trump dismissed the concerns. Harris responded by accusing Trump of dividing Americans based on race, recalling how Trump questioned former President Barack Obama’s citizenship.
### 2. Trump Fact-Checked in Real-Time
Donald Trump stuck to his usual approach of spreading misinformation, addressing topics like abortion rights, the 2020 election results, and Project 2025. He distanced himself from the January 6 Capitol attack and falsely claimed rising crime rates in the US. Trump also made unsupported statements about late-term abortions and denied knowledge of Project 2025.
Moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis from ABC News promptly fact-checked Trump on these points, earning praise on social media. This contrasted sharply with the June debate moderated by CNN, which featured minimal fact-checking.
Trump’s assertions about infanticide and immigration were debunked, demonstrating misinformation. Reports indicated that many immigrants arrived with work permits or legal authorization as their cases were heard in court. When Trump claimed immigrants were “eating the pets” in Ohio, the moderators demanded proof, which he could not provide.
### 3. Foreign Policy Clash: Afghanistan, Russia-Ukraine, Gaza
The debate escalated when Trump and Harris discussed foreign policy. Topics included the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Trump criticized Biden’s troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, but Harris distanced herself from the decision, suggesting that it ultimately saved taxpayer money despite its poor execution.
On the Gaza conflict, Harris supported a two-state solution and acknowledged Palestinian suffering while affirming Israel’s right to self-defense. Regarding Ukraine, Trump and Harris clashed over their approaches to the Russian invasion. Trump avoided expressing a desire for a Ukrainian victory, focusing instead on quickly ending the conflict through negotiations. Harris accused Trump of seeking Ukraine’s unconditional surrender, while Trump claimed Harris had failed in negotiations with Putin, though she has never met him.
China was also discussed, with Harris accusing Trump of being a sell-out and Trump claiming that China, North Korea, and Russia were afraid of him. Harris countered by saying that world leaders mock Trump, a statement bolstered when Trump cited support from authoritarian leader Viktor Orban of Hungary.
The debate highlighted significant differences in the candidates’ policies and approaches, setting the stage for a highly competitive 2024 election.
