Presidential debate recap: Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump clash in fiery debate
The presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump has concluded, and oh boy was it a wild ride.
It was the second debate for the 2024 election, however, since the first, the Democratic nominee has changed from President Joe Biden to Harris.
With polls this week revealing a neck-and-neck race, the debate was a pivotal moment for Republicans and Democrats.
Meeting for the first time, Harris attempted to show she was not afraid of Trump from the get-go, directly approaching the former President at his podium, introducing herself to her opponent.
Donald Trump claimed immigrants were eating cats and Harris again had to clarify her stance on fracking and guns.
Harris’ debate performance secured a major celebrity endorsement from Taylor Swift, and Trump claimed the he won online.
Taking place at the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia, the 90-minute debate was anchored by David Muir and Linsey Davis from ABC News.
Scroll down for the biggest moments of the historic second presidential debate in the 2024 race to The White House.
Key Events
‘We don’t have to discuss it’
Harris said if elected she will legislation reproductive rights.
However, Trump said he doesn’t need to talk about abortion rights because Harris will never be able to get it through.
“We don’t have to discuss it because she would never be able to get it, just like they couldn’t get student loans, they didn’t even come close to getting student loans,” Trump said.
Harris says Trump's position is ‘immoral’
Harris has heated up on the ‘Trump abortion ban’
“As I said you are going to hear a bunch of lies and that is not actually a surprising fact,” Harris said.
“Let’s understand how we got here. Donald Trump hand selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade and they did exactly as he intended.
“Now in over 20 states there are Trump abortion bans which make it criminal for a doctor or nurse to provide health care in one state it provides prison for life.
“Trump abortion bans that make no exception for rape and incest.
“A survive of a crime of violation to their body does not the right to make a decision about what happens to their body next. That is immoral.”
Abortion rights
Trump has claimed Harris wants to allow abortions up until 9 months.
Harris could be seen disagreeing with his remarks.
“The Democrats are radical in that and her Vice- Presidential pick, which I think was a horrible pick by the way of our country, because he is really out of it, but her Vice-Presidential pick says abortion in the ninth month is absolutely fine.”
Trump calls Harris a Marxist
Trump said Harris is stealing his philosophy.
He even said he was going to send Harris a MAGA hat.
“Her father is a Marxist Professor in economics and he taught her well.”
“She has, destroyed our country with policy that is insane.”
Who is going to have higher prices? ‘China’
Responding to being asked if Americans will be facing higher prices under his plans, Trump said simply: “They are not going to have higher prices.”
Instead, he will make China pay higher prices.
“We are going to take in billions of dollar, hundreds of billions of dollars.”
“I had no inflation. Virtually no inflation.”
Trump claims he has not read Project 2025
Trump has calmly shot down an accusation he is planning to enact the highly controversial Project 2025.
“As you knows and you know I have nothing to do with Project 2025,” he said.
“I haven’t read it, I am not going to read it.”
“This was a group of people who came up with some ideas, some good, some bad but it makes no difference, I have nothing to do with it.”
Harris warns Americans what Trump is going to spin
Harris has looked straight down the camera speaking to voters, warning them of what Trump is spinning. It is a brave attempt to cast doubt in what will go on to say.
“In this debate today you are going to hear from the same old tired playbook, a bunch of lies, grievances and name-calling.
“What you are going to hear tonight is a detailed and dangerous plan called Project 2025, that the former president intends on implementing if he were elected again.”
A horse-voiced Trump responds
Trump says he had “the greatest economies” in US history.
“I took in billions and billions of dollars as you know from China.”
“In fact, they never took the tariff off because it was so much money they can’t.
It would totally destroy everything they have set out to do. They have taken in millions of dollars from China and other places.
“I created one of the greatest economies in the history of our country. I will do it again and even better.”
First topic: The economy
Harris is speaking first in the debate.
Tackling the ‘biggest issue’ for US voters.
“I am actually the only person on this stage who has a plan that is about lifting up the middle class and working people of America.
“I believe in the ambition, the aspiration, 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.”
A very awkward start
As Harris walked into the room, she went straight to Trump to shake his hand.
Trump instead walked to his podium.
Harris introduced herself by name to Trump who was clearly thrown by the move.
