In their first—and possibly only—debate of the 2024 election campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump addressed key national issues Tuesday night. With just 55 days remaining until Election Day and the candidates running neck and neck in the polls, both aimed to solidify their positions on major topics like immigration, the economy, and abortion.
Trump defended his economic record, stating, “I had no inflation, virtually no inflation,” contrasting it with the Biden-Harris administration’s handling, which he claimed led to historically high inflation. While it is true that inflation peaked at 9.1% in 2022, it has since fallen to 2.9%, though prices for essentials like food remain elevated. Trump attributed the surge to supply chain disruptions and government spending, while Harris criticized Trump’s economic management, noting, “He left us with the worst unemployment since the Great Depression.” Unemployment reached 14.8% during the COVID-19 pandemic but had dropped to 6.3% when Trump left office.
The candidates sparred on immigration, with Trump asserting that Harris and Biden’s policies had allowed violent immigrants to “take over towns” and contribute to rising crime. However, data shows that violent crime has decreased in recent years, and studies indicate that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than U.S. citizens. Harris pushed back, highlighting her efforts to address the root causes of migration from Central America.
Abortion also took center stage, with Trump repeating a false claim that Democrats support abortion up to and even after birth. Harris condemned the accusation, emphasizing that reproductive rights should not be controlled by the government and underscoring the fact that late-term abortions are rare and typically result from medical complications.
Trump blamed Harris and Biden for the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it “incompetently handled.” Harris responded by pointing out that Trump had signed the original exit deal with the Taliban. On military policy, Harris stated, “There is not one member of the military in a combat zone for the first time this century,” a claim which, though technically true, overlooks the presence of U.S. troops in dangerous regions like Syria and Iraq.
Fracking was another point of contention, with Harris denying claims she had banned it, emphasizing that her administration had overseen record levels of oil and gas production while also investing in renewable energy sources.
The debate reflected starkly different visions for America, with both candidates aiming to sway undecided voters in a tight race.
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