Donald Trump, Kamala Harris clash in heated US presidential debate over abortion rights, immigration & more: Key highlights
(The Post News)- Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris faced off in a contentious presidential debate in Philadelphia on Tuesday, just weeks before Election Day. The 90-minute debate, hosted by ABC News, saw the two rivals clash on issues like abortion, immigration, the economy, and foreign policy.
Abortion rights were a major point of contention, with Harris accusing Trump of intending to implement a national abortion ban if elected. Trump dismissed this claim as false, but Harris highlighted the lack of exceptions for rape or incest in Trump’s proposed policies, labelling them “immoral.”
The debate also turned to immigration, with Trump making unsubstantiated claims about immigrants eating pets in an Ohio town. Harris labeled Trump’s immigration claims as “extreme” and reminded viewers of Trump’s legal troubles.
On international issues, Harris discussed her strong ties with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while Trump retaliated by labelling Harris as “the worst vice-president in history.” The discussion on the Israel-Gaza conflict saw both candidates assert their positions passionately, with Trump claiming that if he were still in office, the conflict would not have escalated.
Trump repeated multiple falsehoods about migrants, Harris’ campaign, abortion, and Jan. 6, which were fact-checked by CBS News. Despite this, Trump’s supporters argue that he landed several key blows, exposing Harris’s weaknesses on issues like border security.
Harris, meanwhile, touted her economic agenda, describing her plan to increase the child tax credit and offer tax deductions for small business startups. She also drew a stark contrast between herself and Trump, pledging to be a president for all Americans and criticising Trump’s divisive rhetoric.
The debate was marked by tense exchanges, with Trump accusing Harris of supporting “open borders” and Harris accusing Trump of promoting a “dangerous plan” outlined in Project 2025, a conservative administration plan that Trump’s campaign has distanced itself from.
So, did Trump’s falsehoods and fear-mongering win over voters, or did Harris’s message of unity and economic opportunity resonate with Americans? The answer remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – this debate will have a lasting impact on the election.
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