Harris, Trump Clash Over Key Issues in Fiery Debate

Deutsche Welle

11 Sep 2024, 10:43

Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump traded blows in the first presidential debate of the 2024 race — clashing over issues including abortion, economy and foreign wars.

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Harris and Trump met each other for the first time as the debate kicked off. The first topic of the debate was the economy and cost of living. ABC News anchor David Muir asked Harris if Americans are better off than they were four years ago in regards to rising prices.

Harris didn't answer the question directly, but rather outlined her economic plans if she takes office. She also mentioned a Goldman Sachs report which said that a Harris term would strengthen the economy while Trump's policies would stifle growth.

Trump criticized rising costs of goods such as bacon during incumbent President Joe Biden's term. He also claimed that Harris "copied Biden's plan" for the economy.

Trump distances himself from controversial Project 2025
Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation project that was put together by hundreds of high-profile conservatives. “I haven’t read it. I don’t want to read it, purposefully. I’m not going to read it,” he says.

The project has controversial ideas like cutting abortion and a reduction of the federal government's role in education.

Harris labels Trump tariffs as 'sales tax'
Harris criticized Trump's plans to raise more tariffs on goods from China and other countries, calling it a "sales tax" on Americans.

Trump, meanwhile, said the tariffs would raise money for the United States and claimed that tariffs would not raise prices for consumers.

Harris, Trump get heated on issue of abortion
The Supreme Court's overturn of Roe v. Wade, which has led to abortion being restricted across the country, also was touched on during the debate. The conservative-majority court overturned the decadeslong ruling in 2022, thanks to three justices appointed by Trump.

"I pledge to you, when Congress passes a bill to put back in place the protection of Roe v. Wade as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law," Harris said.

Harris also said Trump supports a nationwide abortion ban, which the former president denied.

Trump, meanwhile, said he believes "in the exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother."

Trump on US Capitol riot: 'I had nothing to do with that'
When asked about the January 6, 2021 US Capitol riot, Trump said: "I had nothing to do with that, other than they asked me to make a speech."

Trump gave a speech in Washington DC shortly before his supporters stormed the Capitol building, where he called them to "fight like hell." He also told his supporters to proceed peacefully to the Capitol at the time.

The Capitol riot came after months of Trump falsely claiming that Joe Biden "rigged" the 2020 election. Trump filed numerous lawsuits after the election to dispute the results, the vast majority of them being shot down.

During the debate, the president also said he was showing sarcasm recently when he said he lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden by a whisker.

Harris, Trump on Israel-Hamas war in Gaza
Trump and Harris were asked about how they would end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Harris repeated some of her previous remarks, saying that Israel has a right to defend itself following Hamas terror attacks on October 7 that killed some 1,200 people in Israel last year.

But she added it matters how Israel did so. "This war must end," she says, adding: "It must end immediately."

She called for a cease-fire in Gaza and hostages held by militants to be freed.

She then said "we must chart a course for a two-state solution" which must ensure security for Israelis and "in equal measure" for Palestinians.

Trump was then asked about the topic. He began by claiming that the conflict would have "never started" if he were still president.

Trump, Harris have heated exchange on Russia's invasion of Ukraine
The two candidates also traded blows over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"I want the war to stop. I want to save lives," Trump said, while claiming Joe Biden's administration allowed the invasion to happen. At the same time, Trump dodged a question on whether he wants Ukraine "to win" the war. Harris, meanwhile, said Trump would give in and let Russian President Vladimir Putin take over Ukraine.

Harris, Trump give closing statements
At the end of the debate, Harris and Trump both gave closing statements.

During her closing remarks, Harris repeated her oft-used phrase during the campaign: "We are not going back."

Harris said said her approach is "focused on the future" and said "we can chart a new way forward."

During Trump's remarks, he said that Harris, as part of the Biden administration, failed to "fix the border" and "create jobs."

"She should leave right now, go down to that beautfiul White House, go to the Capitol, get everyone together, and do the things you want to do but you haven't done it — you won't do it," Trump said.

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