In a heated televised debate ahead of the November 5 election, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump clashed fiercely, branding each other with extreme accusations. Harris called Trump “extreme” and a “friend of dictators,” while Trump labeled her a “Marxist.”
The debate covered contentious topics such as abortion, race, and the state of U.S. democracy. It marked the first—and potentially only—debate between the two ahead of the election, with both candidates seeking a breakthrough in a tight race. Trump, once confident of his lead, responded to Harris’s criticisms with raised voice and typical rally-style rhetoric, while Harris remained composed, at times looking amused, and criticized Trump’s presidency as a “mess.”
The debate began with an unexpected handshake between the two at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, but the cordiality quickly faded. Trump launched attacks, falsely accusing Harris and President Biden of letting criminals into the country. Harris countered by pointing out Trump’s criminal record and accusing him of using race to divide Americans.
A particularly intense exchange occurred when Trump reiterated his unfounded claims of winning the 2020 election, while Harris accused him of being a “disgrace” according to his own former security officials. She also charged that Trump would abandon Ukraine to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, whom she described as a “dictator who would eat you for lunch.”
Abortion was another heated topic. Trump defended his stance that states should decide abortion policies, while Harris criticized his position as deceitful and insulting to women.
This debate was crucial for Harris, who stepped into the race after Joe Biden’s abrupt exit following a disastrous debate performance in June. Harris used the opportunity to showcase her debating skills, developed during her Senate career, and capitalized on Trump’s controversial reputation to push back against his attacks.
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