Harris challenges Trump more vehemently than Biden did on regards to abortion, the economy, and democracy

On Tuesday, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump met for a debate that showcased their sharply contrasting visions for the country, focusing on issues like abortion, immigration, and American democracy.

This debate, potentially their only face-to-face encounter before the November election, highlighted their differing approaches and strategies.

Harris, the Democratic vice president, sought to provoke Trump by reminding him of his disputed 2020 election loss and mocking his other false claims.

This approach led Trump to engage in personal attacks and digressions, straying from the disciplined rhetoric his advisers had hoped for.

The debate provided a comprehensive look at their campaigns, coming just hours before early ballots are set to be distributed.

Harris presented a more effective critique of Trump than President Joe Biden did earlier, signaling a more contentious and competitive race.

Harris outlined a vision of tax cuts for the middle class and a push to reinstate abortion rights, which were overturned by the Supreme Court.

Trump, in contrast, proposed tariffs to address trade imbalances and pledged to end the Russia-Ukraine war swiftly, even if it meant compromising on Ukraine's battlefield victory.

Throughout the debate, Harris visibly reacted to Trump’s comments, occasionally shaking her head or staring at him with a hand on her chin.

Trump, on the other hand, largely avoided looking at Harris and stuck to his rally-style attacks and familiar talking points, which his supporters find appealing but which advisers worry might not reach a broader audience.

Harris pointedly noted Trump’s denial of the 2020 election result, saying, “Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people. So let’s be clear about that.”

Trump, meanwhile, questioned Harris’s actions during her vice presidency and criticized her handling of illegal migration issues.

Trump reiterated his plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants and criticized Harris’s policies as extreme. He claimed Harris and Biden were weak, citing praise from Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to bolster his image.

Harris appealed to Republicans and independents dissatisfied with Trump’s style and election-related actions, emphasizing a commitment to democracy and rule of law.

Trump, in turn, repeatedly avoided affirming the importance of Ukraine's victory and dismissed Harris’s critiques of his foreign policy.

As Harris highlighted Trump's false claims about migrants and his previous remarks, she called his statements extreme.

Trump denied Harris’s claims about his proposed policies, arguing that he does not support a national abortion ban.

The debate took place in a small, blue-lit studio with no live audience, creating a more intimate setting that contrasted with the contentious nature of the discussion.

Harris tried to interject at times, prompting Trump to respond with a retort about familiar interruptions.

Harris criticized Trump for leaving office amid a pandemic and the January 6 insurrection, claiming her administration has cleaned up his “mess.”

Trump countered by accusing Harris of shifting her positions and mockingly suggested she was adopting his philosophy.

Harris defended her moderate stances as pragmatic adjustments while maintaining her core values. She introduced herself to Trump, marking their first meeting, with a handshake that was the first presidential debate handshake since 2016.

Harris accused Trump of exacerbating national division and of using race to divide Americans, referencing his past actions and comments.

Trump tried to downplay Harris’s rallies, while Harris critiqued his campaign events for focusing on trivial subjects rather than voter concerns.

The debate was a rare moment of sustained questioning for Harris, who had only given one formal interview in the past six weeks.

Trump, questioning Biden’s mental acuity, was met with Harris’s counterpoint that the election was against her, not Biden.

In a rapid sequence of events post-debate, Trump survived an assassination attempt, and both candidates chose their running mates, setting the stage for a high-stakes election campaign.