The long-awaited debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris finally took place in Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center on Sept. 10 under the moderation of ABC News. Under rules stipulated by the network to have their microphones muted after their respective speaking time was over, the debate began. Here is an overview of the topics discussed and the candidates’ responses. 

The Economy

The first topic discussed was, of course, the economy. Harris, appealing to the public about her middle-class background, proposed a plan to give $6,000 tax cuts to young families that have monetary trouble with housing and raising their children, according to ABC News. She also introduced a plan to “give a $50,000 tax deduction to start-up small businesses, knowing they are part of the backbone of America’s economy” while criticizing Trump for his usual plan to “provide a tax cut for billionaires and big corporations.” 

In response, Trump claimed that the United States was in a recession that “is the worst in its history” and turned the topic to express his concerns about illegal immigration, where he claimed that people from mental institutes were taking “jobs that are occupied right now by African Americans and Hispanics and also unions.” Continuing on this attack, he accused Harris of being “a Marxist” who was making the economy decline by letting “criminals” into the country.

Abortion

Both candidates’ responses to abortion rights remained the same as before. Trump claimed that although he believes in “exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother,” he condemns abortions after nine months in labor, which is why he voted in favor of the six-week abortion ban in August. Calling the democrats of being “radical,” Trump also accused Harris’s running mate Tim Walz of supporting “execution after birth.” Moderator Linsey Davis clarified that it is illegal to “kill a baby after it’s born.”

Harris, on the other hand, spoke strongly of protecting a woman’s right to choose, saying that “the government, and Donald Trump certainly, should not be telling a woman what to do with her body.” She also countered by saying that Trump’s abortion ban “makes no exception for rape and incest” and that as president, she would restore the protections of Roe v. Wade when the bill is passed by Congress. 

Harris also claimed that Trump would put a national abortion ban as stated in Project 2025, which Trump denied, saying that “there would be no need.” He also refuted having any relation to Project 2025.

Immigration/ Border Security

Harris was put in a position to defend herself regarding her role in ”illegal border crossings [reaching] a record high in the Biden administration.” She claimed that the lack of border security was due to Trump killing a conservative, bipartisan border security bill so that he could use the issue in favor of his campaign.

Trump continued to proclaim his point that illegal immigrants were ruining the country, accusing immigrants in Springfield, Ohio of “eating the pets of the people that live there,” which moderator David Muir clarified to be false, as confirmed by Springfield’s City Manager. 

Trump further expressed his concerns over “criminals” and “terrorists” increasing crime in the United States to be “through the roof.” Again, Muir had to correct the facts by saying that according to the FBI, “overall violent crime is coming down in this country.”

The Israel-Hamas War

Harris asserted that while Israel “has a right to defend itself,” it is important to recognize that “far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.” She claimed that a cease-fire was essential for the return of hostages and that there must be a “two-state solution” where “there must be security for the Israeli people and Israel and in equal measure for the Palestinians.” She seeks a solution to rebuild Gaza and restore Palestinians the “self-determination and dignity they so rightly deserve.”

Trump, on the other hand, declared that none of the current foreign policy problems would have risen under his administration due to his harsh sanctions. 

The Russia-Ukraine War

Trump claimed that if he gets elected, he would have “the war with Ukraine and Russia ended… before even getting into the office.” He also said that he has a good relationship with both Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin, contrasting his competence in foreign relations with that of Joe Biden, who allegedly “hasn’t even made a phone call in two years to Putin.” He also said that he thinks ”it’s in the U.S. best interest to get this war finished” and “negotiate a deal.” 

Harris, reminding Trump that Biden was no longer her opponent, claimed that Trump plans to “give up” on the war for the sake of ending as soon as possible. She, however, intends to continue military aid to Ukraine with NATO to help the country gain its independence. 

Healthcare

Trump claimed that he has “concepts of a plan” to replace the Affordable Care Act, but found it unable to get rid of it due to Democrats’ unanimous support for it. Therefore, he chose to sustain the act, but he professed that “it’s too expensive for people.” Until he comes up “with a plan that’s going to cost [Americans] less money and be better healthcare than Obamacare,” he plans to “run it as good as it can be run.”

Harris asserted that she plans to “maintain and grow the Affordable Care Act” and criticized Trump for not having a clear plan for healthcare despite his attempts to replace it. She claimed that under her vice presidency, the Biden administration was able to enhance the plan to “negotiate drug prices on behalf of the American people” and “[cap] the cost of prescription medication for seniors at $2,000 a year.” She intends to make sure that “access to health care should be a right and not just a privilege of those who can afford it.” 

Climate Change

Harris appealed that she recognizes the issue of climate change to be “very real” while accusing Trump of calling the issue of climate change a “hoax.” She listed her record of investing “a trillion dollars in a clean energy economy while also [increasing] domestic gas production to historic levels” in the last four years. She also claimed that 800,000 new manufacturing jobs were created under her vice presidency and spoke of having “the endorsement of the United Auto Workers and Shawn Fain, who also know that part of building a clean energy economy includes investing in American-made products.”

In response, Trump again aimed his criticisms toward the Biden administration, accusing it of “building auto plants in Mexico” and receiving “millions of dollars” from China and Ukraine. 

The debate showcased the clear differences in policies between Harris and Trump. As Election Day approaches, it will be vital for voters to consider these factors before casting their vote.