2024 Presidential Debate
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The first presidential debate between candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris happened Tuesday Sept. 10.
The two running presidential candidates, Former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris, took to the debate stand for the first time on Tuesday, Sep. 10, just 56 days out from the election. Considering this would be the first time the two candidates would meet face-to-face, tensions ran high with those who tuned in for the live debate.
When moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis asked each candidate the same question, their answers seemed to deviate quite a bit. On the topic of abortion, Trump stated, “I believe in the exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother. I believe strongly in it.” Meanwhile, Harris spoke on how women should be granted choice over their bodies with no restrictions. According to ABC News, she exclaimed, “And I pledge to you when Congress passes a bill to put back in place the protections of Roe v. Wade as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law.”
The topic of immigration and border control also seemed to be a hot-button issue. Moderator David Muir stated, "You also said you would use local police [to aid in immigration and border control]. How would you deport 11 million undocumented immigrants? I know you believe that number is much higher. Take us through this. What does this look like? Will authorities be going door to door in this country?” Trump responded by stating that there is an abundance of crime in the United States because of the lack of border control. He continued with, “Crime in this country is through the roof. And we have a new form of crime. It's called migrant crime. And it's happening at levels that nobody thought possible.”
Harris responded with current plans and actions that have been taken under the current presidency and that are in the works going forward, “…And let me say that the United States Congress, including some of the most conservative members of the United States Senate, came up with a border security bill which I supported. And that bill would have put 1,500 more border agents on the border to help those folks who are working there right now overtime trying to do their job.”
Due to recent events, the moderators ensured to ask the candidates questions about the continuing Israel-Hamas war. Harris responded first by indicating that a ‘two-state’ solution had to be reached for peace. She states, “But we must have a two-state solution where we can rebuild Gaza, where the Palestinians have security, self-determination, and the dignity they so rightly deserve.” Trump, though, seemed to imply that if he were in office, the war would have never happened. Stating, “If I were president, it would have never started.” Both candidates agreed that the war needs to end, and it would be a part of both of their agendas if they were to be elected.
The candidates disagreed on the stances they would take to end the Ukraine-Russia war, but they agreed that ending the war would be a priority if either became president.
While another debate has not been confirmed yet, there have been multiple fact-checks and updates about where each candidate stands after the initial debate. According to a BBC article, Trump claimed, “two days after the pair's first showdown in Philadelphia - that Harris only wanted a rematch because he ‘clearly’ won.” In a rally in North Carolina, according to BBC, “Harris responded by saying they ‘owe’ voters another debate because ‘what is at stake could not be more important.’” It appears that no compromise has been made between the candidates and another debate has not yet been set, but it is in the works.