In the first presidential debate on Tuesday, Republican Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris went head-to-head, both trying to leave a lasting impression on voters. Harris, 59, criticized Trump’s proposal to impose high tariffs on foreign goods, describing it as a sales tax that would hurt the middle class. She also outlined her plan for tax relief aimed at families and small businesses, while blaming Trump for the high unemployment rates during his presidency.
Trump, 78, responded by attacking the Biden administration’s handling of inflation, though some of his claims about price increases were exaggerated. He shifted the conversation to immigration, making unsubstantiated allegations about people from “insane asylums” crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
The debate, which began at 9 p.m. ET, started with a handshake — a rare gesture in recent presidential debates. With the election approaching on November 5, and early voting set to begin soon, both candidates seized the moment to appeal to undecided voters.
Harris, who joined the race just seven weeks ago after President Joe Biden stepped aside, made a strong argument against abortion restrictions, focusing on the impact state bans have on women and victims of incest. She also accused Trump of supporting a national abortion ban, a claim he denied, countering with an accusation that Democrats back infanticide, an illegal practice.
Throughout the debate, Harris tried to link Trump to Project 2025, a conservative policy initiative aimed at increasing executive power and pushing right-wing goals. Trump dismissed this connection, though some of his advisers were involved in the project.
During the initial 30 minutes, Trump refrained from personal attacks, but later in the debate, he called Harris a “Marxist,” which sparked a sharp response from her. His team had advised him to focus on inflation and immigration, despite some recent improvements in these areas under the current administration.
The debate, hosted by ABC News at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, was conducted without a live audience. Microphones were muted when candidates were not speaking, ensuring a more controlled environment. Harris had been preparing in Pittsburgh, while Trump’s preparation was more informal, taking advice from figures like former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.
