11 Takeaways From The Kamala Harris – Donald Trump Presidential Debate

In a face-off, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump took to the stage in Pennsylvania in a fiery debate for the Oval Office, laying out their sharply contrasting visions for America’s future.

Moderated by ABC News’ David Muir and Linsey Davis, the debate kicked off with immediate tension, as former President Trump focused on his familiar themes: border security and economic recovery, repeatedly pointing to his claim of record-breaking tariffs and tough immigration policies.

Vice President Harris called out what she framed as Trump’s failures, including public health mismanagement, saying Trump’s administration had triggered a public health epidemic. Harris also ripped into Trump’s recession-prone economic plan and his response to the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Sensitive issues like race, abortion, and voting rights also took center stage, with Harris accusing Trump of worsening the country’s divides. Trump was also challenged for his misleading comments about winning the 2020 election.

The debate, which was different from the 2020 presidential debate, with no audience, saw the two presidential hopefuls rip into each other’s policies, with words like “weak” and “stupid” thrown about. Here are 11 key takeaways from the U.S. presidential debate.

1. Harris Championed The Middle Class With An ‘Opportunity Economy’ While Trump Doubled Down On Immigration

In the first few minutes of her speech, Harris focused on the middle class, young families, and small businesses, pushing her bold “opportunity economy” plan by offering tax breaks for small businesses and a $6,000 tax cut for growing families. Her pledge: to lead as president for all Americans and act as a unifying buffer for both sides.

Meanwhile, Trump doubled down on immigration and dismissed Harris’ vision as a socialist threat. Trump fired at Joe Biden’s policies and criticized Harris for aligning with what he called Marxism, claiming that the Biden administration’s policies had deteriorated the U.S. economy and led it into economic disaster. Trump also painted Harris as an advocate for Marxism, warning viewers that her economic plans would stifle economic growth.

Harris, in response, dismissed these attacks, emphasizing that her “opportunity economy” was aimed at uplifting middle-class families, not just the wealthy elite, drawing a sharp contrast between her inclusive economic vision and Trump’s policies, which she argued favored only the rich. Trump, in turn, fired back, stating that Harris’ leadership was eroding the economy and depriving the American people of being able to afford basic groceries.

2. Both Candidates Sparred Over Trump’s Hardline Immigration Stance

During the debate, Trump repeatedly zeroed in on immigration, noting it as a core issue of American national security and patriotism.

Trump argued that his border policies had kept America safe and emphasized that a softening of these policies under Harris would open the country to job losses, crime, and economic regression. He pointed to his administration’s success in implementing tariffs and border security measures as a defense against what he labeled as “radical socialist” policies from Harris. His rhetoric on immigration was designed to appeal to his base, framing the border as a frontline issue that threatened the livelihood and safety of everyday Americans.

Harris, on the other hand, aimed to reach voters from a collaborative standpoint, welcoming voters to approach the election with unity and humanity. By leaning into her history as a public servant, Harris aimed to appeal to the people and chart a new path.

In a particularly impassioned moment, Trump began to passionately speak about the harm that undocumented immigrants were causing, citing baseless stories that immigrants were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio — a claim that moderator David Muir quickly challenged.

3. The Abortion Divide Was A Major Part Of The Conversation

The abortion debate was one of the most heated exchanges of the night, with Harris passionately defending Roe v. Wade and women’s rights.

Trump accused Harris of advocating for executing babies post-birth; Harris argued that her policies were centered around humanizing the conversation by focusing on the personal toll these decisions would have on families, either because of incest or rape.

Trump, in contrast, reiterated his pro-life stance but admitted that he would consider exceptions for abortion in cases of incest and rape. He positioned himself as the candidate who would protect religious freedom.

At the same time, Harris emphasized the need to separate government from personal medical decisions, particularly for women, and held Trump accountable for putting women through something “unconscionable.” Harris argued for the reinstatement of Roe v. Wade to set protections in place for women to make collaborative decisions about their healthcare with their providers.

4. The Israel-Hamas Conflict Took Center Stage

The candidates clashed over their approaches to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Harris said that it was important to uphold international humanitarian law while supporting Israel’s right to defend itself. She criticized Trump’s foreign policy approach, suggesting that his presidency had weakened America’s global standing and that her administration would pursue a ceasefire and a two-state solution.

Trump, meanwhile, argued that such conflicts would have never happened under his leadership, accusing Harris of abandoning Israel. He also claimed that Iran’s growing influence was a direct result of Biden’s weak policies, which he said had allowed terror groups like Hamas to thrive.

5. Trump And Harris Had Different Views On The War Between Ukraine And Russia

Trump claimed he could have ended the war between Russia and Ukraine before it began, positioning himself as a proficient leader who commands respect from adversaries like Vladimir Putin. He blamed Biden’s “weak” foreign policy for allowing the conflict to escalate with no foresight.

Harris, in contrast, defended the Biden administration’s support of Ukraine and echoed the need for Americans to stand up for democratic values. She argued that Trump’s admiration for dictators like Putin only emboldened autocrats, and that his foreign policy record was filled with mistakes that destabilized global security.

6. The Economy And Inflation Dominated The Debate

Like with other issues, Trump and Harris offered different views on the state of the American economy. Trump framed his presidency as one of unprecedented economic growth, boasting job creation and record stock market highs.

At the same time, Harris blamed the former Trump administration for the “worst economy since the Great Depression.”

Forbes‘They’re Eating The Dogs’ And ‘Worst’ Inflation: Key Fact-Checks From The Presidential DebateBy Siladitya Ray

Trump pointed to inflation and rising gas and grocery prices as evidence of Democratic failure, but Harris fired back by pointing to her economic plans, which she argues would focus on tax relief for middle-class families, investment in clean energy jobs, and $25,000 in assistance for first-time home buyers. Harris also positioned herself as a unifying bridge between both parties, arguing that addressing economic inequality and creating a fair economy would benefit all Americans.

7. Both Candidates Addressed National Security and Military Strength in Broad Strokes

The candidates’ debate over national security was a flashpoint, with Trump painting Harris as weak and unprepared to handle global threats. He claimed that during his presidency, countries like China, Russia, and North Korea were “afraid” of him, and that his strength had kept the world more stable.

Harris pushed back, challenging Trump’s problematic relationships with authoritarian leaders and his tendency to admire dictators. She emphasized the importance of diplomacy, alliances, and upholding America’s role as a leader in promoting global security and democracy. Harris also advocated for strength in national security, which means respecting and supporting the U.S. military and its veterans, which she accused Trump of neglecting.

8. Kamala Harris Spoke Passionately About Racial Division And Social Justice

Racial division was another major topic, with Harris accusing Trump of using race to divide the country. She recalled Trump’s history of racial discrimination and raised his refusal to rent to Black tenants in the 1970s to his comments on the Central Park Five. The issue of race was brought up when Muir asked Trump about his comments on Harris’ race.

Harris, on the other hand, positioned herself as a unifying political figure who would be committed to addressing systemic racism and healing the divisions that have widened under Trump’s leadership.

9. Trump Was Questioned About The January 6th Riots

During the debate, the moderator Muir grilled Trump about the January 6th riots at the Capitol and whether he regretted the incident, but the former president did not provide a direct response. Rather, he addressed other topics, challenging the Biden administration for their lackluster response to riots in Minneapolis.

This lack of direct acknowledgment has since drawn attention from critics who have raised concerns about Trump’s evasion and his response to the rioters. In contrast, Harris took the opportunity to condemn the violence of January 6, 2021, emphasizing the importance of protecting democratic institutions and holding individuals accountable.

10. Both Politicians Approached Climate Change And The Environment Differently

Harris strongly positioned herself as an advocate for climate action and promised to continue expanding renewable energy and reducing America’s dependence on fossil fuels. She also criticized Trump’s lackadaisical approach to climate change, which Trump dismissed and, in contrast, doubled down on his support for deregulating the fossil fuel industry. He argued that his policies had led to American energy independence, while Harris’ plans would cripple the economy with excessive regulations and economy-crippling green initiatives.

11. Trump Denied Being An Advocate for Project 2025

Apart from seemingly sidestepping questions about the January 6th riots, Trump also denied any association with Project 2025, a policy agenda outlined by the Heritage Foundation. The initiative, which includes plans to drastically reduce the size of the federal workforce and increase executive power, has been met with both support and criticism from different political factions.

Trump distanced himself from the project during the debate, insisting that it was not part of his campaign strategy, despite speculation about his alignment with its goals. His denial came as part of a broader effort to reframe his policy vision, focusing instead on familiar themes like immigration and the economy, while avoiding detailed discussions on controversial policy proposals tied to his potential second term.

ForbesProject 2025 Explained: What To Know About Right-Wing Policy Map For Trump After Harris Attacks It At DebateBy Alison Durkee

Harris did not hold back when addressing Trump’s criminal history during the debate. She pointed to the former president’s legal battles, including ongoing investigations and indictments.

Since the debate, political analysts have continued to dissect the two contenders’ strategy, responses and optics on the debate stage, with some arguing that both candidates did not answer certain questions around economy, immigration and policy as closely as they should have. With less than eight weeks left to election day, this debate will be critical in moving the needle in terms of who wins America’s ultimate vote.