By Morris Wambua

PHOTO CREDIT: PBS News

The First Presidential Debate: Trump vs. Harris - A Battle for America’s Future?

Less than two months before Election Day, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump faced off in a high-stakes presidential debate in Philadelphia.

The sparks were expected to fly—and they did, albeit with a heavy dose of rhetoric and theatrics. Polls showed that 28% of voters felt they still needed to know more about Harris, while a mere 9% were unsure about Trump.

In this verbal boxing match, Harris aimed to appeal to the middle class, while Trump, ever the entertainer, critiqued her policies as too radical, with an extra side of sarcasm.

Harris’s “Opportunity Economy” and Trump’s Economic Takedown

In a bold move, Harris kicked off the debate with her plan for an “opportunity economy,” where middle-class families would be rewarded with tax credits and housing relief. She even touted a $6,000 tax credit proposal aimed at helping families afford essentials—because let’s face
it, nothing says “I have a plan” like throwing some cash at the problem.

Trump, however, wasn’t impressed. Labeling the current economic conditions as “the worst period of time,” he pinned the blame on Harris and Biden’s policies. Oh, and did he call her a Marxist?

You bet he did.

It was clear Trump wasn’t about to let Harris get away with positioning herself as a champion of the middle class. He painted her policies as nothing more than government overreach, reminiscent of an ideology that wants to micromanage every dollar you earn.

Trump wasted no time highlighting the economic turmoil that he claimed Harris’s agenda would only exacerbate, all while wearing his signature grin.

Was it his most tactful moment?

Perhaps not.

But it was classic Trump.

Fresh Leadership or a Blast from the Past?

The night had its fair share of finger-pointing.

Harris portrayed Trump as yesterday’s news, claiming that his presidency was all about “lies, grievances, and name-calling.” (Because that’s totally something people would never say about her, right?)

She leaned hard into the notion that Trump represents a leadership style America should move on from. According to her, the country needs “fresh leadership,” which, if you’re keeping score, is a phrase politicians love when trying to get elected.

Trump wasn’t having it.

He fired back by claiming Harris was nothing more than an extension of Biden’s policies—particularly on immigration.

His take?

The border is a mess, and the people coming into the country are destroying it. He wasn’t mincing words, and to be fair, subtlety has never been his strong suit.

Harris’s Policy “Evolutions”—Consistency or Flip-Flopping?

Harris was challenged on her evolving stance on issues like fracking, and in true political fashion, she framed her change as an adaptation to new realities while clinging to her core values.

In response, Trump wasted no time accusing her of inconsistency, calling out her past opposition to fracking—especially in Pennsylvania, where energy is king.

It’s one thing to evolve on issues, but Trump wasn’t letting Harris off the hook. He claimed she had a hidden agenda to confiscate guns and destroy the energy sector.

So, who should the public believe?

Harris, who is apparently “flexible” on policy?

Or Trump, who made it clear he wouldn’t let her forget her previous positions, particularly when they’re not politically convenient anymore?

Trump and the Federal Abortion Ban—An Evasive Dance

One of the night’s most charged exchanges came overabortion rights. When asked point-blank if he would sign a federal abortion ban, Trump side-stepped like a seasoned politician, stating it wasn’t necessary because such a bill wouldn’t pass.

Harris, meanwhile, came out swinging, pledging to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade and accusing Trump of secretly plotting to sign a national abortion ban if given the opportunity.

Harris certainly made her stance clear, but Trump’s evasiveness left some scratching their heads.

Was he avoiding alienating parts of his base, or was this just another classic example of Trump keeping his cards close to his chest?

Either way, Harris didn’t miss a beat in calling him out on it, though Trump’s base likely didn’t care for the specifics—after all, they’ve come to expect the unexpected from him.

A Harris Victory in Drawing Trump Off-Course?

While Trump has always been a master at steering the conversation, Harris successfully dragged him into defensive postures throughout the debate.

Whether on abortion or his controversial praise for certain foreign leaders, Trump found himself defending his record instead of focusing on his key talking points.

At one point, Harris even sarcastically suggested that people leave Trump’s rallies out of sheer boredom—an odd claim, considering Trump’s rallies are known for their energy. Of course, Trump wasn’t about to let that pass without a retort, doubling down on his love for his supporters and pivoting back to immigration.

Classic Trump.

Harris's tactic here was clear: keep Trump off balance, and force him to explain himself, hoping that his defense would veer into less appealing territory.

Whether that strategy worked depends on who you ask, but it did provide some entertaining moments.

Trump’s Real Target: Biden or Harris?

Throughout the night, Trump couldn’t help but repeatedly target Joe Biden’s record. From the handling of classified documents to economic mismanagement, Trump threw jab after jab at the current president.

He even suggested that Biden might not be aware that he’s still president—a low blow, sure, but it got the reaction Trump was looking for.

Harris, however, was quick to remind Trump that Biden wasn’t on the debate stage.

“You’re not running against Joe Biden,” she quipped, “you’re running against me.”

It was a calculated move to distance herself from Biden’s presidency—though whether that works in her favor remains to be seen. Either way, Trump didn’t skip a beat, continuing to link her to Biden’s policies, which, according to him, have brought nothing but division and destruction.

Trump’s Strategy: The Leader of Change, Again?

Despite the back-and-forth jabs and interruptions, Trump stayed on message—at least in his mind. His argument was simple: Harris is just another Biden, another cog in the liberal machine trying to destroy the American dream.

He framed himself as the leader of true change, just as he did in 2016, positioning Harris as part of a radical agenda.

But let’s be honest—after four years of Trump’s presidency, can he still claim to represent change

The irony wasn’t lost on anyone, but in typical Trump fashion, he seemed unconcerned. After all, he’s not the candidate of subtlety; he’s the candidate of spectacle.

Did the Debate Change Anything?

This intense debate between Harris and Trump marked the beginning of what will undoubtedly be a fierce showdown. Both candidates tried to claim the mantle of leadership and change, with Harris aiming to position herself as a pragmatic problem-solver for the middle class and Trump hammering home his narrative that she’s too radical.

So, who came out on top?

If you’re a Harris supporter, you probably believe she presented herself as level-headed and ready
for leadership.

But if you’re a Trump fan, you likely saw his performance as a reaffirmation of his status as the one who speaks for the "forgotten man" in America.

One thing’s for sure: this won’t be the last time these two clash.

FAQs

1. Who won the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump?
It depends on who you ask. Supporters of both sides believe their candidate came out on top.

2. What were the main issues discussed in the debate?
Key topics included immigration, the economy, abortion rights, and fracking.

3. Did Trump address his stance on a federal abortion ban?
Trump sidestepped the question, saying a federal abortion ban wouldn't pass anyway.

4. How did Harris position herself in the debate?
Harris emphasized her plan for an “opportunity economy” and tried to distance herself from the Biden administration.

5. What was Trump’s main attack on Harris?
Trump repeatedly accused Harris of being an extension of radical policies, focusing particularly on immigration and the economy.