By: Janiyah Gaston
On Tuesday, Sept 10 all eyes were tuned in to the first presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The debate was held at the National Constitution Center in Pennsylvania. A variety of topics were brought up from the economy, reproductive rights, and more.
This debate was the first time Trump and Harris met in person and that mics were muted when each candidate was talking.
Before the debate started, the polling numbers between Harris and Trump were shown. The polling numbers showed the candidates were neck and neck. The first debate topic of the night was the economy and cost of living.
Economy & Cost of living
Harris: To start the debate, Harris talked about how she wanted to create an Opportunity Economy which would focus on providing tax breaks to young families and small businesses. While speaking on her plans for the economy, Harris also made a point to say that Trump will only give tax breaks to billionaires and large corporations under what she called “the Trump Sales Tax.” Harris stated Trump has no actual plan to improve the economy and that’s the plan.
Trump: Trump said she was incorrect, and he has no sales tax. Instead, he would impose tariffs on other countries to make them pay the United States back for all the support given to them. Following that, he made a point to say inflation has been worse under Biden’s administration than under him. Trump then pivoted to say that immigrants are coming into the U.S. and are taking Black jobs. In response to Project 2025, Trump said he wants nothing to do with it. He then switched the topic to how he would create the greatest economy and handled the pandemic well.
Reproductive rights and Project 2025
Harris: Harris believes that Trump has every intention of implementing Project 2025 and signing a national abortion ban.
Trump: In response to Project 2025, Trump said he wants nothing to do with it. He then switched the topic to how he would create the greatest economy and handled the pandemic well. He followed up with he is in favor abortion exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother. Trump also stated he did not discuss the abortion ban with his running mate JD Vance.
Immigration
Harris: Harris was asked by moderators why did the Biden Administration wait to add stricter border security. Her response was that Trump called Republicans in Congress telling them to kill the bill.
Trump: Trump did not respond to Harris claim about him calling Congress. He said due to the Biden Administration crime in the United States is through the roof. Trump then said with more immigrants coming into the U.S. they are eating people's pets.
January 6th
Trump: When Trump was asked about if he had any regrets about January 6th, he said he was just asked to make a speech, and it would not have happened if Nancy Pelosi did her job.
Harris: Harris brought up how due to Trump’s actions leading up to January 6th he insighted a riot where cops were injured and died. Harris also touched on the Charlottesville riot and how Trump said there were fine people on each side.
Gaza and Israel
Harris: Harris started off by saying Israel has a right to defend itself, but how they go about it matters. She stated that a ceasefire needs to be worked on, she will continue to support Israel, and Gaza needs to be re-built with a two-state solution in mind.
Trump: Trump commented that Harris hates Israel and Arab people.
Ukraine and Russia
Trump: Trump said that he wants the war to end, Putin and Zelensky respect him, and he will end the war before he is office. Trump said Putin would have stayed in Moscow and that Kamala said the wrong things during negotiations.
Harris: Harris followed with that she did meet with Zelensky and that our U.S. allies are important.
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