Harris puts Trump on the defensive in fiery presidential debate
More than two months after Joe Biden's disastrous debate against Donald Trump, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris had her first debate with the former president on Tuesday. Unlike Biden, Harris managed to keep Trump on the defensive throughout the 90-minute debate.
The contrast between Harris and Biden could not have been greater on Tuesday night. Biden's slow, rambling performance in June's debate raised questions about his age and ultimately led to his withdrawal as Democratic presidential candidate.
Harris had a much stronger showing. She picked apart Trump's record on abortion, his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and his closeness to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Trump failed to press Harris on her weaknesses, such as her handling of the southern US border during the Biden administration. Instead, he made false claims including that immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating residents' pets and that he had "nothing to do" with the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.
In her closing statement, Harris promised to be a "president for all Americans". Trump, meanwhile, expressed concern about a "nation in decline" and called Harris "the worst vice president in the history of our country".
Taylor Swift backs Harris
The debate won Harris at least one important vote: that of Taylor Swift. Shortly after the debate, the influential American pop star announced on Instagram that she would be voting for the Democrat, saying she "fights for the issues and rights I believe in".
Harris challenged Trump to a rematch in October. "Vice-president Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?" her campaign team said afterwards. Trump responded by saying that Harris wanted a rematch "because she lost the last debate", but has not yet accepted the invitation.
© PHOTO SAUL LOEB / AFP
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