The much-anticipated debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris took an unexpected turn as Trump stumbled and fell into Harris’s traps. The clash was marked by Trump’s rambling answers on topics such as illegal immigration, abortion, and the economy. Harris, on the other hand, used her time to highlight Trump’s legacy of racist attacks and professional failures.
One of the most memorable moments of the debate was when Harris goaded Trump by suggesting that his supporters leave his rallies early due to “exhaustion and boredom.” Trump vehemently denied this, emphasizing the size of his rallies and making baseless claims about the need to “bus” people into Harris’s rallies.
Trump’s statements on immigration also raised eyebrows, as he repeated a debunked conspiracy theory that Haitian immigrants were eating stolen domestic pets in Ohio. Harris, on the other hand, delivered a powerful response on the topic of abortion, highlighting the immoral nature of Trump’s abortion bans that make no exceptions, even for cases of rape and incest.
Throughout the debate, Trump’s responses were met with incredulous reactions from Harris, who challenged and corrected him on multiple occasions. She called out his past comments on race and pointed out that he has been deemed a “disgrace” by military leaders. Harris also highlighted the support she has garnered from Republicans and emphasized that Trump is more interested in running on a problem than fixing one.
On the topic of America’s future, Harris presented a bright vision, contrasting with Trump’s apocalyptic rhetoric. She skillfully dismantled his claims about fictional characters and reminded him that what really matters is the American people.
After the debate, pop superstar Taylor Swift formally announced her endorsement of Harris, further dealing a blow to Trump. Swift, who carries influence with younger voters, stated that Harris fights for the causes she believes in.
The debate clearly had an impact on public opinion. According to a snap poll conducted by CNN, Harris’s favorability rose after the debate, with 45% of registered voters viewing her favorably. However, 44% still view her unfavorably. Trump’s favorability remained largely unchanged, with 39% rating him favorably and 51% unfavorably.
All in all, the debate was a night full of twists and turns, showcasing the stark differences in the visions and realities presented by Trump and Harris. Trump’s attempts to control the narrative in the spin room and declare victory were met with skepticism and criticism. The consensus among celebrities and commentators was that Harris emerged victorious, delivering a “a good old-fashioned a**-whupping” to Trump.
