• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
  • © 2026 ABC News
ABC News

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 11, 2024 1:36 AM

CLAIM: Trump 'killed' bill that would have secured border

Fact Check: True

Earlier this year, a bipartisan group of senators unveiled a $20 billion plan to substantially bolster security along the U.S.-Mexico border. It would have added hundreds of border patrol and ICE agents and asylum officers; funded construction of new border wall; expanded detention facilities; ended “catch and release;” effectively closed the border entirely when illegal crossings surge; and raised the bar for asylum claims. (Source: text of bill

The influential Border Patrol union, which has previously endorsed Trump, publicly backed the bill. But hours after the draft legislation was unveiled on Feb. 5, Trump urged his party to oppose the bill, even as many Republicans have spent years lobbying for some of the security measures included in the deal.

“I’ll fight it all the way,” Trump told supporters at a Las Vegas rally Feb. 8. “A lot of the senators are trying to say, respectfully, they’re blaming it on me. I say, that’s okay. Please blame it on me.”
Trump openly invoked election-year politics as a motivation for his position: “This Bill is a great gift to the Democrats, and a Death Wish for The Republican Party. It takes the HORRIBLE JOB the Democrats have done on Immigration and the Border, absolves them, and puts it all squarely on the shoulders of Republicans,” Trump wrote on social media. The bill failed a key Senate procedural vote in May, with all but one Republican voting against it, including all those involved in crafting the deal.


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 11, 2024 1:36 AM

CLAIM: Trump 'killed' bill that would have secured border

Fact Check: True

Earlier this year, a bipartisan group of senators unveiled a $20 billion plan to substantially bolster security along the U.S.-Mexico border. It would have added hundreds of border patrol and ICE agents and asylum officers; funded construction of new border wall; expanded detention facilities; ended “catch and release;” effectively closed the border entirely when illegal crossings surge; and raised the bar for asylum claims. (Source: text of bill

The influential Border Patrol union, which has previously endorsed Trump, publicly backed the bill. But hours after the draft legislation was unveiled on Feb. 5, Trump urged his party to oppose the bill, even as many Republicans have spent years lobbying for some of the security measures included in the deal.

“I’ll fight it all the way,” Trump told supporters at a Las Vegas rally Feb. 8. “A lot of the senators are trying to say, respectfully, they’re blaming it on me. I say, that’s okay. Please blame it on me.”
Trump openly invoked election-year politics as a motivation for his position: “This Bill is a great gift to the Democrats, and a Death Wish for The Republican Party. It takes the HORRIBLE JOB the Democrats have done on Immigration and the Border, absolves them, and puts it all squarely on the shoulders of Republicans,” Trump wrote on social media. The bill failed a key Senate procedural vote in May, with all but one Republican voting against it, including all those involved in crafting the deal.


GMA Newsletters

Sign up for our newsletters to get GMA delivered to your inbox every morning!

Up Next in news

PHOTO: Lindsay Clancy sits as jury selection starts in her murder trial where she is charged in the 2023 killing of her three children, July 20, 2026, in Plymouth Superior Court in Plymouth, Mass.

Husband testifies in trial of mom accused of killing her 3 children

July 27, 2026
PHOTO: Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, left, walks upfield during the second day of the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Kansas City, Mo., May 2, 2026.

Wife of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator allegedly shot by son at home, police say

July 27, 2026
VIDEO: Malcolm-Jamal Warner's widow sues his mother after drowning death

Malcolm-Jamal Warner's widow sues his mother after drowning death

July 22, 2026

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts— 

© 2026 ABC News