On Sept. 10, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump met face to face for the second presidential debate of the election year. Following President Biden’s poor performance in the first debate, he dropped out of the race, allowing Vice President Harris to take his place. Since receiving the nomination, Harris has hit the election trail, gathering support and visiting swing states.
The September debate marked the first time Harris and Trump met in person. Harris notably shook Trump’s hand and introduced herself — a strategic move to potentially illustrate sportsmanship and cooperation on her part. During the June debate, Biden and Trump did not shake hands when they met on stage.
The debate started with moderator David Muir bringing up the number one issue to voters: the economy and the cost of living. Harris shared her economic plan and specific policies she plans to implement.
“We know that young families need support to raise their children. And I intend on extending a tax cut for those families of $6,000, which is the largest child tax credit that we have given in a long time. So that those young families can afford to buy a crib, buy a car seat, buy clothes for their children,” Harris said.
She also went on to explain her plan to support small business owners with a $50,000 tax deduction. Trump responded by criticizing the current inflation under the Biden-Harris administration.
“We have inflation like very few people have ever seen before. Probably the worst in our nation’s history … many things are 50, 60, 70, and 80% higher than they were just a few years ago,” Trump responded. “This has been a disaster for people, not just for the middle class, but for every class.”
After a long discussion on economics ranging from AI to COVID-19, the conversation switched to abortion — another critical issue for voters.
“I believe in the exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother. I believe strongly in it,” Trump said. “Every legal scholar, every Democrat, every Republican, liberal, conservative, they all wanted this issue to be brought back to the states where the people could vote … but each individual state is voting. It’s the vote of the people now. It’s not tied up in the federal government.”
Harris responded by mentioning the actions of the Trump-appointed SCOTUS members.
“Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade. And they did exactly as he intended,” Harris said. “And now in over 20 states there are Trump abortion bans which make it criminal for a doctor or nurse to provide health care. In one state it provides prison for life. Trump abortion bans that make no exception even for rape and incest.”
Other topics were brought up throughout the evening including Project 2025, immigration, January 6th and the war in Ukraine.
As for the results of this debate, some have argued that Kamala was more prepared for the debate, and early polling is in her favor. Many of Trump’s allies, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have supported Trump and claimed his victory.
Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz and Republican nominee JD Vance will debate on Oct. 1 on CBS. Harris’s campaign called for a second debate though Trump has since declined this offer, doing so in an announcement on his platform Truth Social.
