U.S. Presidential Debate: Trump calls open immigration ‘cats and dogs will be eaten’, Harris accuses him of acquiescing to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine

The first televised debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris began with a focus on economic issues. Harris highlighted her middle-class background and her commitment to reducing taxes for small businesses and creating what she termed an "opportunity economy." She criticised Trump for favouring the wealthy and large corporations, accusing him of imposing a "Trump sales tax" on the middle class.

Trump defended his trade policies, asserting that Biden had maintained his tariffs despite initial criticism. He claimed that his tariffs were essential for making America "great" and that he had created numerous jobs and managed the COVID-19 pandemic effectively. Trump also condemned past trade practices, claiming that the U.S. had lost billions due to unfair trade with China and other nations.

Trump and Harris Debate Immigration Policies: Claims of Increased Crime and Controversial Examples

The debate then shifted to immigration and border issues, with Trump taking a hard stance. He asserted that illegal immigrants should not be allowed to become American citizens, citing a controversial example of Haitian immigrants allegedly eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. This claim drew criticism from ABC TV’s host, who suggested it was exaggerated and requested Trump provide evidence.

Trump responded by blaming Harris's immigration policies for increasing crime rates, suggesting they allowed criminals to enter the U.S. Harris countered by arguing that immigrants should not be pre-judged as criminals. She also pointed out Trump's legal issues and ongoing lawsuits, accusing him of weaponising the judiciary against him. The host referenced FBI data showing that crime rates had actually declined following more open immigration policies.

Read more: Donald Trump-Themed Meme Coins Plummet After Fiery Debate With Kamala Harris

Trump's Abortion Rights Stance Under Scrutiny: Inconsistencies and State-Level Policies Debated

On abortion rights, Trump faced scrutiny for his inconsistent statements. He mentioned that some states allowed late-term abortions and said he would delegate abortion policy to individual states, allowing exceptions in cases of rape and incest. Harris accused Trump of spreading falsehoods and highlighted that three of the Supreme Court justices who overturned nationwide abortion rights were appointed by him. She argued that many states have adopted restrictive abortion laws with no exceptions for rape or incest.

Trump and Harris Clash on Foreign Policy: Ukraine, Israel, and the Middle East

The debate also covered the Ukraine-Russia war and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Trump claimed that Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if he were president and labelled Harris as someone who "hates Israel." He suggested that a Harris presidency would jeopardise Israel's existence.

Harris rebutted Trump’s claims, affirming her commitment to defending Israel, particularly from Iranian threats. She stressed the need for negotiations to end the war and address humanitarian issues in Gaza and the rights of Palestinians. Harris supported a two-state solution, contrasting with Trump’s approach.

When asked if he wanted Ukraine to win against Russia, Trump simply stated, "I want the war to end." His vague response was interpreted by pro-Democratic media as a reluctance to fully support Ukraine. Harris accused Trump of flattering Putin, asserting that a Trump presidency would only embolden the Russian leader further.

Read more: Taylor Swift’s Shocking Endorsement Could Pave the Way for Kamala Harris’ 2024 Victory!

Debate Analysis

Following the debate, many pro-Democratic media outlets considered it advantageous for Harris. There is speculation about a potential future debate between Harris’s running mate, Tim Walz, and Trump, though this has not been confirmed.

On prediction markets like Polymarket, Trump and Harris remain evenly matched, with support levels at 49% each, indicating a tight race.

Conclusion

Despite the intense debate, both candidates face challenges in swaying undecided voters. Trump's aggressive rhetoric and Harris's rebuttals highlight the polarising nature of the current election, with both sides presenting starkly different visions for the future.