First Trump-Harris Debate Sets Tone For New Presidential Matchup
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced off on Tuesday in the first and possibly only presidential debate between the two candidates. Hosted by ABC News, the debate touched on a range of issues from gun control to inflation to immigration. The post-debate conversation was highly polarized, with many on the right complaining about the leanings of the debate moderators and those on the left focused on the rhetoric used by Donald Trump during the debate.
There were numerous viral moments from the debate, but none more so than Donald Trump’s claim when talking about illegal immigration, “They’re eating the dogs; they’re eating the cats.” Trump was referencing an unfounded claim circulated on right-wing social media of Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, eating stray cats for food. This line was not received warmly by critics, and it underscored a general trend throughout the debate of Kamala Harris consistently baiting Donald Trump into uncomfortable situations.
On the issue of immigration, Trump seemed offended by Harris criticizing the size of his rallies in her response to a moderator question on her handling of the border. He used the majority of his allotted time to address this instead of the immigration issue. Many analysts had considered immigration to be his strongest issue coming into the debate given Harris’s close association with Biden administration border security efforts.
On the flip side, Kamala Harris’s negative moments were few and far between, aside from a viral jab made by Trump at the onset of the debate about Harris’s signature line, “I’m speaking.” On the issues, Harris was criticized for not providing much substance, a concern that builds on criticisms of Harris’s decision not to make a single solo media appearance since announcing her candidacy for president, while Trump has conducted 18 appearances during that same time frame.
The Harris campaign has called for a second debate, while Trump has said he’s not interested because he feels that he already “won” Tuesday’s debate. With 54 days until Election Day, this unique environment will continue to provide interesting turns all the way to the finish line.
