Trump vs Harris Presidential Debate: Candidates go on attack in zinger-filled showdown

Harris and Trump sparred in the high-stakes showdown.

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Last updated: Wednesday, September 11, 2024 11:59AM GMT
What you need to know about the high-stakes presidential debate showdown
What you need to know about the high-stakes presidential debate showdown Harris and Trump clash over the economy, abortion, border and more

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.

ABC News Debate Photo Gallery

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Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, left, visit a watch party at Cherry Street Pier after the presidential debate in Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 2024.
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Sep 11, 2024, 2:16 AM

Fact checking the Trump-Harris debate

From abortion to the economy, Israel and Gaza to fracking, border security to domestic crime, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump offered many plans and claims during the debate tonight.

Trump repeated a false claim that Haitian migrants are eating pets in Ohio, which the city in question has said is false. Harris claimed Trump will sign a national abortion ban if he is re-elected, which he has not said he will do.

Debate fact checker | Fact checking the Trump-Harris debate.

ByRiley Hoffman ABCNews logo
Sep 11, 2024, 4:41 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.

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Sep 11, 2024, 2:44 AM GMT

Trump doesn't give details on health care reform

Trump has claimed ever since he first ran for president in 2015 that he would come up with a better health care plan than Obamacare.

However, when asked if he had come up with any new details for reform, Trump said he had "concepts of a plan."

"But if we come up with something, I would only change it if we come up with something that's better and less expensive and there are concepts and options we have to do that, and you'll be hearing about it in the not too distance future."

ByTia Yang FiveThirtyEight logo
Sep 11, 2024, 2:43 AM GMT

Harris evokes the chaos of Jan. 6

Evoking the chaos of the Jan. 6 insurrection was key to Harris' message on protecting democracy at the DNC and the same is true tonight. It could be a good strategy for her: Earlier this year, undecided voters in a 538/PerryUndem focus group told us Trump's actions on that day were one of their main concerns they had about supporting the former president.

"For everyone watching who remembers what January 6 was, I say we don't have to go back," Harris said. "And if that was a bridge too far for you, well, there is a place in our campaign for you," she added, alluding to the Republicans who've vocally supported her due to their disapproval of Trump's actions that day.

-538's

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Sep 11, 2024, 2:41 AM GMT

Trump defends negotiations with Taliban in Afghanistan withdrawal

Trump defended his administration's role in negotiating with the Taliban in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and instead slammed the Biden administration for their handling of the final days of the war.

"We did have an agreement negotiated by Mike Pompeo, it was a very good agreement. The reason it was good, it was -- we were getting out. We would have been out faster than that, but we wouldn't have lost the soldiers, we wouldn't have left many Americans behind," he said.

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Sep 11, 2024, 2:36 AM GMT

Harris defends withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, blames Trump for circumstances

ABC News' David Muir asked the vice president if she felt she bore any responsibility in the way the withdrawal in Afghanistan played out. Thirteen U.S. service members were killed in a suicide bombing at the Kabul international airport.

Harris started her response by defending the administration's decision to end America's longest war.

She then turned to criticizing Trump for the way he negotiated a peace plan with the Taliban that included a date of May 1, 2021, for the final withdrawal of troops -- which President Joe Biden then continued to carry out with a September deadline.