On Sept. 10, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump went head-to-head in the second presidential debate of this year. The debate marks the first time the two took the stage; however, this debate could be their last.
The debate began with both candidates walking onto the stage with Harris approaching Trump to shake the former president’s hand. Harris introduced herself as it was also the first time the two candidates met in person.
ABC News hosted the debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia with ABC’s David Muir and Linsey Davis moderating the 90-minute showdown.
When first asked about the economy and whether or not she believes the US is better off now than it was four years ago, Vice President Harris gave her intentions saying, “I intend on extending a tax cut for those families of $6,000, which is the largest child tax credit that we have given in a long time.”
Harris also highlighted her love for small businesses, discussing her plans of giving “a $50,000 tax deduction to start-up small businesses, knowing they are part of the backbone of America’s economy.”
When answering the same question, Trump said, “We’re doing tariffs on other countries. Other countries are going to finally, after 75 years, pay us back for all that we’ve done for the world. And the tariff will be substantial in some cases.”
Trump continued by discussing the inflation rates, stating that today’s inflation rates are the worst we have seen in recent US history.
“This has been a disaster for people, for the middle class, but for every class.” Trump then added “On top of that, we have millions of people pouring into our country from prisons and jails, from mental institutions and insane asylums. And they’re coming in and they’re taking jobs that are occupied right now by African Americans and Hispanics and also unions.”
Former President Trump falsely claimed that immigrants are eating pets. According to Trump, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating — they’re eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what’s happening in our country. And it’s a shame.”
When asked about the issue of abortion, Donald Trump made false claims of executions occurring against babies after birth. Trump claimed that this was occurring in West Virginia saying, “the previous governor of West Virginia, not the current governor, who’s doing an excellent job, but the governor before. He said the baby would be born and we would decide what to do with the baby. In other words, we’ll execute the baby.”
The debate then moved to the Israel-Hamas war. When asked about the conflict, Harris said, “What we know is that this war must end. It must end immediately, and the way it will end is we need a cease-fire deal and we need the hostages out.” Harris stated she has “supported Israel and the Israeli people” throughout the entirety of her career.
During discussions regarding the healthcare system in the United States, Trump called Obama Care “lousy.” When discussing his plans Trump said, “I have concepts of a plan. I’m not president right now. But if we come up with something I would only change it if we come up with something better and less expensive. And there are concepts and options we have to do that. And you’ll be hearing about it in the not-too-distant future.”
Climate change was a prominent part of this debate with Harris voicing her support of fracking saying, “I made that very clear in 2020. I will not ban fracking. I have not banned fracking as Vice President of the United States. And, in fact, I was the tie-breaking vote on the Inflation Reduction Act, which opened new leases for fracking.”
The debate concluded with two very contrasting closing statements.
Harris began her statement by comparing the two candidates, stating, “One that is focused on the future and the other that is focused on the past. And an attempt to take us backward. But we’re not going back.”
Trump ended his side of the debate by questioning Harris saying, “Why hasn’t she done it? She’s been there for three and a half years.” Trump then said that we are “a nation in decline.”
