It was the first night that Kamala Harris and Donald Trump faced off on the debate stage, covering topics from the border and immigration to women’s rights and the economy, and both candidates declared victory.
The highly anticipated debate arrived after the campaigns wrangled while determining if the September 10 showdown would even occur, and over the rules for each nominee.
Polls released this week show the race for the Oval Office could not get any closer, as national surveys unveiled a deadlock between the candidates. In a Pew Research Center poll released on Monday, Harris and Trump both had 49 percent support among registered voters. The margin of error for the poll is 1.3 percent. A New York Times/Siena College poll released on Sunday also showed a neck-and-neck race, with Trump edging Harris 48 percent to 47 percent among likely voters.
After the debate, each candidate sent a news release, as follows in entirety:
Trump’s team submitted theirs before the debate ended, declaring victory, saying:
“President Trump delivered a masterful debate performance tonight, prosecuting Kamala Harris’ abysmal record of failure that has hurt Americans for the last 4 years.
“We saw President Trump lay out his bold vision of America and how he would continue to build upon the successes of his first term by supercharging the economy, securing the border, and stopping crime from ravaging communities across the country.
“Conversely, Kamala’s vision of America was a dark reminder of the oppressive, big government policies of Joe Biden that she wants to continue. High inflation, a porous border that allows criminals and terrorists to flood across, and being soft on crime— that is what Kamala represents.
“The choice could not be more clear— President Trump was the clear winner tonight, and he will win for America when he returns to the White House.”
— Trump campaign advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles
Harris’ team sent the following out promptly after the debate:
“Tonight, Vice President Harris commanded the stage on every single issue that matters to the American people. Americans saw exactly what kind of President Kamala Harris will be: one who offers a New Way Forward for the country, who will be a president for all Americans, and who will turn the page once and for all on the darkness and division of Donald Trump. And she reminded the American people that she is the only candidate in this race ready to serve as our next Commander-in-Chief.
“Donald Trump was totally incoherent. He was angry and rattled, and it all began when Vice President Harris held him accountable for his record overturning Roe vs. Wade and harming women nationwide. Trump refused to say he would veto a national abortion ban. He again said he had no regrets over January 6th. And in case you missed it, through the countless lies he rattled off on stage tonight, Trump offered zero plan for the everyday needs of Americans, saying only he had “concepts” of a plan. That’s because the only actual plan Tump has is Projet 2025, which would raise costs for the middle class and take America backwards.
“Under the bright lights, the American people got to see the choice they will face this fall at the ballot box: between moving forward with Kamala Harris, or going backwards with Trump. That’s what they saw tonight and what they should see at a second debate in October. Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?”
— Harris-Walz Campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon
Follow Newsweek’s live blog for updates on the presidential debate.
The vice presidential nominees, Ohio GOP Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz, will participate in a debate held by CBS on October 1. There is not another debate on the schedule for Harris and Trump. The first debate was held between Trump and President Joe Biden, who dropped out of the race in mid-July after concerns over his mental acumen resurfaced after his lackluster performance and Harris eventually took over as the Democratic nominee.
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