This was the first time Donald Trump and Kamala Harris met in person. Beyond the enormous anticipation, especially after Trump’s previous debate with Biden triggered a series of events that led the former president to drop out of his re-election bid, this new debate captivated the U.S. and the international press. Over a thousand media outlets gathered in the heart of Philadelphia, broadcasting from the National Constitution Center, providing coverage ranging from major news networks to podcasts and vloggers, analyzing what transpired before, during, and after this historic debate.
Both candidates declared themselves winners. However, despite Trump’s claim that the Harris-Walz campaign had requested another debate because they knew they had lost, his face and his unscripted appearance in the «spin room» betrayed him. It wasn’t his best night, not because of his well-known exaggerations and inconsistencies, but because this time the focus wasn’t on a tired Biden, dealing with internal and external crises, sick and fresh from transatlantic trips, as was the case in the June 27 debate in Atlanta.
This time, all eyes were on Trump and his ability to remain composed for 90 minutes. He failed, undoing his campaign’s carefully planned efforts, which had released appealing ads aimed at undecided moderates, flooding social media and YouTube. Trump, who has participated in seven presidential debates, initially said he wouldn’t accept another but later claimed he wasn’t sure. He embarrassed himself by insisting that migrants were «eating pets in Ohio,» a statement he claimed was happening across the country. Few have dared to defend his claims.
Meanwhile, Harris appeared cheerful and confident, celebrating with her allies afterward. Her husband, Douglas Emhoff, introduced her to an excited crowd that had enjoyed her performance. Their joy was evident when the couple shared a kiss, a moment of admiration and happiness.
Debates can play a crucial role when elections are at a standstill. This debate even spurred Taylor Swift to publicly endorse Harris-Walz, prompting thousands to register to vote, heeding the advice of the influential artist.
Trump’s MAGA base won’t be swayed from supporting their candidate. Since 2016, Trump has said he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose a vote. However, it’s the moderates and undecideds who may determine this election. Polls show these voters remain unconvinced about backing either candidate. During the debate, both focused more on attacking each other than providing clear plans to address the country’s pressing concerns.
Overall, many agree that the vice president came across as strong, capitalizing on her opportunities to communicate her ideas, while Trump appeared frustrated, falling into traps set by Harris, whom he avoided making eye contact with.
Yet, many viewers were left feeling that neither candidate effectively presented fresh and viable solutions to issues like the migrant crisis, inflation and the opioid epidemic. This is why another debate is urgently needed to win over the votes still up in the air.
