In the heated first 2024 presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, held in Philadelphia on September 10, pundits across the political spectrum were quick to declare Harris the clear winner. Conservative commentators, including Fox News’ Brit Hume, pointed out that Trump struggled to maintain composure and effectively respond to Harris’ pointed attacks.
“Make no mistake. Trump had a bad night,” said Brit Hume, during the Fox News post-debate analysis. “We just heard so many of the old grievances that we all know aren’t winners politically.” This sentiment was echoed by many others, as Trump found himself on the defensive for much of the 90-minute debate.
Harris set a sharp tone early in the debate, goading Trump with jabs about the size of his rallies and his infamous call for the execution of the Central Park Five, who were later exonerated. These attacks seemed to unsettle Trump, leading him to frequently veer off course. Harris’ calm and methodical approach contrasted starkly with Trump’s performance, which appeared more erratic as the evening wore on.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a frequent critic of Trump, noted Harris’ strategy to unsettle the former president. “She was exquisitely well-prepared, she laid traps, and he chased every rabbit down every hole.” Christie went on to criticize Trump’s debate preparation, saying, “Whoever prepared Donald Trump should be fired. He was not good tonight at all.” This reflected a broader consensus among political analysts that Trump was unprepared for Harris’ aggressive debate style.
One of the more memorable moments came when Trump, in response to Harris’ criticism of his rally attendance, boasted, “We have the biggest rallies, the most incredible in the history of politics.” However, instead of focusing on key policy issues, Trump repeatedly reverted to personal grievances and conspiracy theories. This included a bizarre claim that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating residents’ pets. “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, they’re eating the cats, they’re eating the pets of the people that live there,” Trump said, a statement that was immediately fact-checked and debunked by the debate moderators. Springfield officials had denied any such incidents, making this one of the evening’s more surreal moments.
Harris skillfully steered the conversation back to Trump’s previous controversies, including his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Capitol riot, further highlighting his vulnerabilities. In response, Trump largely failed to mount a coherent defense, instead relitigating issues from his presidency.
The post-debate analysis painted a bleak picture for Trump. On Fox News, host Jesse Watters conceded, “This was rough. This was pretty intense at times.” Watters, along with other conservative pundits, struggled to defend Trump’s performance. Hume further elaborated on Trump’s failures, saying, “This was pretty much her night… She kept her cool,” highlighting Harris’ ability to remain composed even as Trump unraveled.
Even Trump’s supporters struggled to spin the night in his favor. Conservative radio host Erick Erickson was blunt in his assessment, writing on X, “Trump lost the debate, and whining about the moderators doesn’t change it” (The Bulwark). He noted that Trump’s failures were entirely self-inflicted, and the moderators had little to do with his poor showing.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime Trump ally, was also critical of the former president’s performance. Speaking after the debate, Graham described the night as a “disaster” and suggested that Trump’s debate team “should be fired” for allowing him to be so unprepared. Graham’s remarks, coupled with other critiques from within the Republican Party, underscored the growing concern about Trump’s ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations.
Harris, for her part, appeared unfazed by the night’s events. Her campaign swiftly capitalized on the debate’s momentum, with her team pushing for a second debate. With poll numbers showing a tightening race, the first debate may have significantly impacted the direction of the 2024 presidential contest.
In the end, it was Harris’ cool demeanor and strategic attacks that defined the evening. Trump, meanwhile, left the debate room with more questions than answers about his readiness for a second term. The race is far from over, but for now, the debate has shifted the narrative in Harris’s favor.
