Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced off Tuesday night in the first televised debate of the campaign for the White House, held at the ABC News studios in Philadelphia. Amid the polarization that characterizes the 2024 U.S. elections, major media outlets across the country are beginning to gather expert analyses, opinions, and polls to determine who "won" the debate.
The initial reactions captured on their online front pages highlight that the Democratic candidate kept Trump "on the defensive" with her "provocative" speech, even managing to unsettle and make the Republican candidate nervous.
"Harris keeps Trump on the defensive," published the website of the Washington Post minutes after the debate ended. Likewise, the New York Times noted that the Vice President put the former president on the defensive by leveraging his legal troubles and his handling of the pandemic.
The Miami Herald also echoed Harris's aggressive stance towards Trump, pointing out that the former president amplified "false information," such as the claim about Haitian immigrants allegedly kidnapping and eating pets in Ohio, a statement that has led to numerous memes on social media.
The digital edition of CNN headlined that Kamala provoked Trump in a "contentious" debate, while the Chicago Tribune reported that the candidates showcased different visions for the country on issues like abortion, immigration, and American democracy.
NBC News focused on the "conspiracy theories" that Trump, according to the outlet, spread, as well as the heated debate the two candidates had over abortion.
One of the few media outlets that positioned Trump as the debate winner was Fox News, which highlighted that the Republican "managed to turn the tables on Vice President Harris," although some voices within the network opined that "Trump had a very bad night."
The first televised debate between Harris and Trump balanced the scales in an election that began poorly for the Democrats, who suffered the humiliation of seeing President Biden defeated in a debate that ended his re-election aspirations and led to Harris’s nomination as the candidate capable of turning the polls around and preventing a second term for the Republican.
Key Takeaways from the Trump-Harris Debate
Given the significance of this debate in the 2024 election cycle, here are some essential questions and answers that delve deeper into the event's impact and outcomes.
What were the main issues discussed during the debate?
The debate covered various critical issues, including abortion, immigration, and American democracy.
How did the media perceive the performance of Kamala Harris?
Many media outlets reported that Kamala Harris kept Trump on the defensive and highlighted her provocative speech.
What controversies arose from Trump's statements during the debate?
Trump's statements, particularly about Haitian immigrants, were widely criticized as false and led to numerous memes on social media.