The highly anticipated debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump took place on September 10 and showcased the opposed agendas of the two presidential candidates as we head towards what will likely be a tightly contested election this November.
Harris and Trump clashed over multiple controversial topics throughout the debate such as the economy, cost of living, immigration, abortion, and more. The debate made clear that not only are the values of each candidate drastically different, but the tone of their messaging to the American people reveals yet another contrast between the two of them.
The debate ended up being a very solid showing from Harris who was able to demonstrate to her critics that she is capable of going head-to-head with Trump. While both candidates claimed the other had a poor policy or no policy at all, Harris often used messages of hope, change, and unity while also attacking Trump’s fear-mongering and divisive rhetoric.
As the debate went on, there was a clear frustration from Trump within his answers. The Republican nominee began presenting responses that were more incoherent, fragmented, and often baseless. Trump notably claimed that immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were “eating the pets” of the city natives and that “radical” democrats such as Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, support “executions” of babies after birth as a form of abortion. Trump’s ridiculous comments were poorly compounded by his petty attacks on the Harris campaign, specifically their rally turnouts. Many viewers believed that Trump was baited into these attacks due to clever jabs from Harris poking at topics Trump may be insecure about leading him to ramble about rally attendance rather than important debate issues.
Overall, a disappointing performance for Trump on the debate stage, however, it may not harm him as his base is unlikely to be disheartened by the poor showing from the former President.
Trump’s habitual allusions to conspiracy theories are not a concern for his loyal base as they would likely tell you to “look it up” if you were to check any of his unfounded claims. His blunt delivery and nationalist rhetoric along with his self-portrayal of a brutally honest man who can call it as it is for the American people, is exactly what propelled Trump to victory in 2016 and continued to bolster his supporters since. Shunning political correctness, and catering to white identity politics as the Trump campaign continues to use its machine-fast messaging on social media, locked and loaded with fear as their main ammunition. A strong tool that will continue to be effective in times of great uncertainty in this country.
While the debate may have been a clear victory for the Harris campaign. There is still much room to improve. Many voters would like to see more in-depth discourse about her policy. As she continues to convey hopeful messages of change, how can she convince American voters that her presidency will be any different from her time as Vice President, given that she is still currently in office? How will Harris be able to unite the democratic party and cater to Americans who may be considering voting for third-party options, in the wake of Robert F. Kennedy Junior’s endorsement of Trump and continuous widespread calls for a ceasefire in the lands of Gaza?
The debate win was just one step that Harris needed to take before a long battle to decide the presidency. Strong feelings of uncertainty leave many susceptible to the emotionally charged messaging of every side of the presidential ballot and it is far too close to call this hotly contested race.