With the U.S. presidential election set for November, the first presidential debate took place between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate.
Regarding the two candidates’ performance, U.S. media outlets analyzed that while both candidates exchanged sharp criticisms, neither landed a decisive blow nor made any significant gaffes during the debate.
The 90-minute debate, moderated by ABC News, was held on Tuesday at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The candidates criticized each other and passionately discussed topics such as the economy, immigration, abortion, and national security.
Trump accused Harris of sharing responsibility for the Biden administration’s policy failures regarding the economy and security, while Harris downplayed Trump’s achievements during his presidency. He frequently highlighted issues related to illegal immigration and rising prices, blaming Harris and the Biden administration for these problems.
In response, Harris sought to distance herself from President Biden’s administration. On abortion—an issue of significant importance to Democrats—Harris assertively defended her pro-choice stance and women’s reproductive rights. She criticized the Trump administration’s judicial appointments, arguing that these judges played a crucial role in undermining abortion rights. In her closing remarks, she declared, “I intend to be a president for all Americans.”
Trump, on the other hand, labeled Harris as the “worst vice president in history” and questioned her accomplishments over the past three and a half years.
Reactions from U.S. media and social media regarding the debate are mixed. CNN reported that Trump performed poorly, while conservative media criticized Harris for alleged dishonesty. Notably, there were claims that the ABC News co-hosts showed bias, as they reportedly fact-checked Trump more rigorously than Harris, creating a perceived disadvantage for Trump.
After the debate, Trump expressed satisfaction on social media, saying it was a “three-on-one” debate.
On social media, observers noted that while Harris appeared well-prepared, she lacked authenticity, often resorting to “cliché statements.” The Boston Herald reported that unlike Trump, who participated in his seventh debate, Harris, who was accustomed to reading prepared content, showed signs of inexperience in her first debate.
