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Trump-Harris debate updates: Candidates go on the attack in zinger-filled showdown

PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris during an ABC News presidential debate, Sept. 10, 2024, in Philadelphia.
4:48
Getty Images
Highlights from Harris and Trump presidential debate
By Alexandra Hutzler, Meredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, Emily Chang, Brittany Gaddy
Last Updated: September 11, 2024, 4:43 AM

The first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump turned into a heated matchup that lasted more than 90 minutes.

The night started with a handshake initiated by Harris, but quickly escalated as the vice president bashed Trump over his policies and comments, contending that it was time to "offer is a new generation of leadership for our country."

Trump criticized Harris throughout the debate on topics such as Afghanistan and immigration issues, drawing comparisons between the vice president and President Joe Biden.

With Election Day just eight weeks away, the debate came at a critical point as polls show a neck-and-neck race between the candidates.

Latest headlines:

  • 'Wasn’t even close': Biden reacts to debate
  • Over half of debate watchers think Harris won: Poll
  • Key takeaways from the Harris-Trump debate
  • Harris proposes 2nd debate, Trump doesn't immediately commit
  • Harris tells watch party: 'We are still the underdogs in this race'
Here's how the news is developing:

Pinned
Sep 11, 2024 4:12 AM

A transcript of the Harris-Trump debate

Harris and Trump met for their first presidential debate on Tuesday night. The consequential matchup was hosted by ABC News at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

Read a transcript of what was said in the 90-minute debate here.


Pinned
Sep 10, 2024 2:30 PM

Anthony Scaramucci among former Trump officials to serve as Harris surrogates in Philadelphia

Anthony Scaramucci and Olivia Troye, former Trump administration officials, will serve as Kamala Harris surrogates in Philadelphia today, the Harris campaign announced.

"Listen, don't take it from us: Take it from the ones who know Donald Trump the best and who are telling the American people exactly how unfit Trump is to serve as president," Harris spokesman Michael Tyler said.

Scaramucci served as Trump's White House communications director. Troye served as the Homeland Security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, as well as a top aide on the Trump White House coronavirus task force.

According to the campaign, they plan to discuss their support of Harris ahead of tonight's debate.

They are among numerous former Trump staffers who continue to speak out.

– ABC News' Will McDuffie, Fritz Farrow, and Gabriella Abdul-Hakim

PHOTO: Workers complete preparations on the media filing center and spin room for the ABC News Presidential Debate between Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, in Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 2024.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Workers complete preparations on the media filing center and spin room for the ABC News Presidential Debate between Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican candidate former US President Donald Trump, in Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 2024.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Sep 11, 2024 4:43 AM

'Wasn’t even close': Biden reacts to debate

President Joe Biden reacted to the debate in a post on X early Wednesday morning.

"America got to see tonight the leader I've been proud to work alongside for three and a half years. Wasn't even close," he said.

America got to see tonight the leader I've been proud to work alongside for three and a half years. Wasn't even close. VP Harris proved she's the best choice to lead our nation forward. We're not going back.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 11, 2024

Biden was in New York City during the debate and will be attending the 9/11 memorial services at Ground Zero later in the day.


Sep 11, 2024 4:41 AM

Over half of debate watchers think Harris won: Poll

A majority of debate watchers think Harris won the debate against Trump, according to a poll taken by CNN and SSRS after the debate.

On who won the debate, 63% of debate watchers said Harris and 37% said Trump.

The poll has a margin of error of +/- 5.3% points.

CNN said that before the debate, respondents were split 50%-50% on who would win.

In June, their instant poll found that among debate watchers, 33% thought Biden won and 67% thought Trump won.

-ABC News' Oren Oppenheim


Sep 11, 2024 4:40 AM

Key takeaways from the Harris-Trump debate

Harris put Trump on the defensive early on, claiming viewers were "going to hear from the same old, tired playbook, a bunch of lies, grievances and name-calling." She later took digs at his rallies and was the first to bring up his multiple indictments.

Meanwhile, Trump tried to tie Harris to President Joe Biden as often as he could. "She is Biden," he said as he criticized their economic record.

Harris' gender was not broached during the debate, though her race was. Trump doubled down on false claims about her racial identity, though he said he "couldn't care less."

Read more about the debate highlights here.



Sep 11, 2024 4:11 AM

Best zingers from the Harris-Trump ABC News debate

During the Harris-Trump face-off, both candidates tried to score points by slinging barbs at each other.

Here are some of their sharp jabs:

Trump: “Wait a minute, I'm talking now, if you don't mind, please. Does that sound familiar?”

Harris: “Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people.”

Harris: “He talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter.”

Read more zingers here.


Sep 10, 2024 2:30 PM

Anthony Scaramucci among former Trump officials to serve as Harris surrogates in Philadelphia

Anthony Scaramucci and Olivia Troye, former Trump administration officials, will serve as Kamala Harris surrogates in Philadelphia today, the Harris campaign announced.

"Listen, don't take it from us: Take it from the ones who know Donald Trump the best and who are telling the American people exactly how unfit Trump is to serve as president," Harris spokesman Michael Tyler said.

Scaramucci served as Trump's White House communications director. Troye served as the Homeland Security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, as well as a top aide on the Trump White House coronavirus task force.

According to the campaign, they plan to discuss their support of Harris ahead of tonight's debate.

They are among numerous former Trump staffers who continue to speak out.

– ABC News' Will McDuffie, Fritz Farrow, and Gabriella Abdul-Hakim

PHOTO: Workers complete preparations on the media filing center and spin room for the ABC News Presidential Debate between Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, in Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 2024.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Workers complete preparations on the media filing center and spin room for the ABC News Presidential Debate between Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican candidate former US President Donald Trump, in Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 2024.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

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