What began with a handshake quickly escalated into a heated exchange as Donald Trump and Kamala Harris squared off on Tuesday night for what could be their only presidential debate before the November elections. The debate, moderated by ABC News anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis, covered critical issues including inflation, abortion, immigration, and the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Economy
The debate kicked off with Harris addressing the state of the U.S. economy. She criticized Trump’s financial record, expressing, “Donald Trump left us with the worst unemployment since the Great Depression, the worst public health crisis in a century, and a severe attack on our democracy.” Harris also condemned Trump’s tax policies and tariffs.
In response, Trump defended his trade policies, arguing that the tariffs were beneficial and that foreign countries, rather than American consumers, bore the cost. “Higher prices will be faced by China and other countries that have been exploiting us for years,” Trump stated.
Abortion
Harris strongly defended abortion rights, emphasizing the importance of reproductive freedom. “If Donald Trump were re-elected, he would enact a national abortion ban,” Harris warned. She highlighted the necessity for individuals to make decisions about their own bodies without governmental interference.
Trump countered by asserting that the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was correct and that states should manage reproductive rights. He denied any plans for a national abortion ban.
Immigration
Trump repeated an inflammatory claim about migrants in Springfield, Ohio, alleging they were consuming pets. Harris criticized this rhetoric as extreme and misleading, suggesting it distracted from more pressing issues facing Americans.
Policy Shifts and Fracking Harris was questioned about her changing positions on fracking and border security. She reaffirmed her 2020 stance against banning fracking, maintaining that her position on the issue remains unchanged.
Legal Troubles
Harris raised concerns about Trump’s past statements suggesting the potential “termination” of the U.S. Constitution and his ongoing legal troubles. She framed the election as a choice between a prosecutor and a convicted felon, citing Trump’s various legal issues.
US Policy Towards Israel Harris reiterated her support for Israel’s right to defend itself while criticizing the civilian casualties in Gaza. Trump accused Harris of being antagonistic towards Israel and suggested that her presidency would endanger its existence.
Ukraine Conflict
Harris criticized Trump’s handling of the Ukraine conflict, asserting that Putin would have made significant advances into Ukraine under Trump’s presidency. Trump suggested focusing on negotiating an end to the conflict, proposing a more direct resolution.
Healthcare and Afghanistan
Trump admitted he lacked a definitive healthcare plan despite his criticisms of the Affordable Care Act. He also defended his administration’s Afghanistan withdrawal deal, criticizing the Biden administration’s execution.
Harris defended the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan, stating it saved taxpayers $300 million daily. She condemned Trump’s deal with the Taliban as weak and detrimental to the U.S.-backed Afghan government.
Closing Remarks In his closing remarks, Trump questioned Harris’s ability to deliver on campaign promises and labeled the Biden-Harris administration as the “worst in history.” Harris concluded by framing the upcoming election as a choice between a forward-looking vision and a return to past policies.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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