Former President Donald Trump and acting Vice President Kamala Harris participated in their first debate of the year tackling topics that voters have been seeking answers for.
On Sept. 10, the two shook hands on stage at 9 p.m. with moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis who began the debate with the topic of the economy.
Per a coin toss, Trump chose to have the final word, which left Harris to take the microphone first.
Economy and taxes:
Harris criticized Trump’s tax plan as benefiting billionaires and increasing the deficit. Harris proposed policies to support the middle class and small businesses.
“I believe in the ambition, the aspirations, the dreams of the American people, and that is why I imagine and have actually a plan to build what I call an opportunity economy,” Harris said.
Harris outlined her tax plan and said she would plan to provide a $6,000 tax credit for young families in the first year of their child’s life to help with expenses like cribs, car seats and children’s clothing.
She said she’d give a $50,000 tax deduction to help people start up small businesses, recognizing small businesses as a key part of the backbone of the American economy.
Trump defended his tariffs and economic policies, arguing they prevented inflation and created a strong economy.
“We’re doing tariffs on other countries. Other countries are going to finally, after 75 years, pay us back for all that we’ve done for the world, and the tariff will be substantial,” Trump said.
Trump claimed his own economic policies, including tax cuts, created one of the greatest economies in history before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abortion and reproductive rights:
Harris criticized Trump’s efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade and the impact on women’s health.
She argued that Trump’s abortion bans, including those with no exceptions for rape or incest, were “immoral” and should not be dictated by the government.
“Understand what that means. A survivor of a crime, a violation to their body, does not have the right to make a decision about what happens to their body next,” Harris said. “That is immoral and one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree that the government and Donald Trump certainly should not be telling a woman what to do with her body.”
Trump defended his anti-abortion stance, citing the need to protect the unborn and said that Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, believes in execution after a baby is born.
“He (Walz) also says execution after birth, it’s execution, no longer abortion because the baby is born is okay, and that’s not okay with me, hence the vote,” Trump said.
Trump said he believes in exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother, which he claimed 85% of Republicans also support.
Immigration and border security:
Harris emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to border security and addressing the root causes of immigration.
Harris discussed a border security bill supported by both Democrats and Republicans members of the U.S. Senate. According to her, this bill aimed to increase border security by adding 1,500 more agents, combat the influx of fentanyl and provide resources to prosecute transnational criminal organizations.
She said that Trump intervened, calling members of Congress to block the bill.
Trump criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the border and the impact of immigration on American communities, emphasizing the need for a wall and a stricter border.
“She’s destroying this country, and if she becomes president, this country doesn’t have a chance of success. Not only success, we’ll end up being Venezuela on steroids,” Trump said.
Trump brought up the subject of border control multiple times while discussing other subjects. He spent a total of four minutes and 34 seconds on the topic of immigration, according to the New York Times.
The attack on the Capitol on January 6. and peaceful transfer of power:
Harris emphasized the importance of respecting the rule of law and a peaceful transfer of power.
“I was there (on Jan. 6. 2021), and on that day, the President of the United States incited a violent mob to attack our nation’s capital, to desecrate our nation’s capital,” Harris said. “On that day, 140 law enforcement officers were injured and some died. Understand the former President has been indicted and impeached for exactly that reason.”
Trump defended his actions on January 6th and claimed the Justice Department unfairly targeted him.
“Nobody on the other side was killed. Ashli Babbitt was shot by an out-of-control police officer. That should have never, ever shot her,” Trump said.
Trump put the blame on others in the White House, including United States Representative Nancy Pelosi.
“It (the attack on the Capitol) would have never happened if Nancy Pelosi and the mayor of Washington did their jobs. I wasn’t responsible for security,” Trump said.
Foreign Policy and National Security:
Harris criticized Trump’s approach to foreign policy, highlighting his admiration for dictators and the negative impact on American interests.
“It is very well known that Donald Trump is weak and wrong on national security and foreign policy. It is well known that he admires dictators,” Harris said.
Harris emphasizes the need for a president who is strong and correct on national security, particularly in upholding and respecting the military.
Trump argued his policies would protect American jobs and interests and said other world leaders say that President Joe Biden and Harris are incompetent.
“The leaders of other countries think that they (Biden and Harris) are weak and incompetent, and they are. They’re grossly incompetent,” Trump said.
Ukraine and Russia:
Harris defended the Biden administration’s support for Ukraine and criticized Trump’s approach.
“I believe the reason that Donald Trump says that this war would be over within 24 hours is because he would just give it up,” Harris said.
Trump claimed he could negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine and prevent further escalation.
“I think it’s of the U.S.’ best interest to get this war finished and just get it done, negotiate a deal, because we have to stop all of these human lives from being destroyed,” Trump said.
Trump said he would “settle” the war before he became president.
“If I win, when I’m president-elect, what I’ll do is I’ll speak to one, I’ll speak to the other, I’ll get them together and that war would have never happened,” Trump said.
Ending the night, the candidates had the opportunity to share two minutes of closing remarks.
It is yet to be announced if there will be another debate between the two.
