US Election : Key Moments and Memorable Quotes from the Harris-Trump Debate
The first meeting between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump featured a series of sharp remarks and memorable moments that highlighted the stark contrasts between the two political figures. The debate showcased Harris pushing back against Trump’s frequent criticisms of President Joe Biden, with Harris firmly stating, “You’re not running against Joe Biden. You’re running against me,” after Trump repeatedly targeted Biden’s administration.
One of the more contentious moments came when Trump accused Harris of skipping Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress, claiming she attended a sorority event instead. Trump’s comment, “She refused to be there because she was at a sorority party of hers,” referred to Harris being in Indianapolis at a national gathering of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, a historically Black sorority, despite Harris not being a member. Harris responded sharply to other claims, including Trump’s long-standing false statement that Haitian immigrants were eating dogs, to which she remarked, “Talk about extreme,” in response to the unfounded accusation.
The debate also saw Harris critiquing Trump’s foreign policy stances and his perceived affinity for authoritarian leaders, stating, “These dictators and autocrats are rooting for you to be president again because they know they can manipulate you with flattery and favors.” Trump, on the other hand, accused Harris of being hostile toward the Zionist entity. Harris, meanwhile, emphasized the need for immediate action regarding the Zionist aggression on Gaza, advocating for a cease-fire.
The issue of reproductive rights also surfaced, with Harris underscoring her support for women’s rights, stating, “The government, and Donald Trump, certainly should not be telling a woman what to do with her body,” highlighting another fundamental policy difference between them. Finally, Trump stood by his false claims regarding the 2020 election, denying any change in his position on the matter, declaring that his previous comments had been made “sarcastically.”
