Trump vs Harris: Highlights of First Debate

The first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris saw intense exchanges and personal attacks. The debate touched on the economy, abortion rights, immigration, and border security. Moderators from ABC News fact-checked Trump’s comments live during the debate.

On Economy
Kamala Harris criticized Trump’s economic policies, stating that he left the nation with the “worst unemployment since the Great Depression.” She highlighted her plan for an “opportunity economy” and called out Trump’s “Trump sales tax” plan, describing it as a “20% tax on everyday goods.” Trump, on the other hand, claimed the US had its “best” economy under his administration.

On Abortion Rights
Harris accused Trump of planning to push a national abortion ban, which Trump denied. She condemned Trump’s abortion policies as “immoral.” Trump responded with an unverified claim that some states were killing babies after birth, which the moderator immediately corrected.

On Immigration
Trump made immigration a key issue, falsely claiming that immigrants were eating pets in Ohio, a statement fact-checked by the moderator. Harris responded by highlighting Trump’s criminal history and criticized his claims about “migrant crimes.”

On Russia-Ukraine War
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Harris emphasized her strong relationship with President Zelenskyy and criticized Trump for failing to prevent the conflict. She stated that if Trump were president, Putin would have his eyes on the rest of Europe.

On Israel-Gaza War
The debate heated up on the Israel-Gaza conflict, with Trump asserting that the war would never have started if he were still president. Harris accused Trump of admiring dictators and wanting to be one, citing military leaders who described Trump as a “disgrace.”

On Capitol Hill Riot and 2020 Election
On the January 6 Capitol riot, Harris blamed Trump for inciting the violence. Trump deflected blame and pointed fingers at Nancy Pelosi. When discussing the 2020 election, Trump claimed he had proof of his victory, which Harris countered by stating, “Donald Trump has been fired by 81 million people.”