Tuesday, Sept. 10: A night of persistent rebuttals, on-the-spot fact-checking and high tension. The night of the first — and possibly only — debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election cycle.
The debate assumed a particularly important precedent being set in Philadelphia — the birthplace of America. With the debate hall aptly located in The Constitution Center, the stage was decked out in deep blue hues, sleek podiums and images of the Constitution projected onto the room’s walls.
Security extended for multiple blocks around the venue all day Tuesday, completely closing off portions of Race and Arch Streets. According to NBC10, access to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in West Philadelphia was completely cut off starting Tuesday afternoon.
Six blocks west of the debate hall, 6ABC reported, over 1,000 journalists and media personnel gathered in the Pennsylvania Convention Center poised to report and broadcast the proceedings of the night’s debate. The debate was hosted by ABC News and aired live on Disney+ and Hulu at 9 p.m.
Two student journalists from The Quad were in attendance and reported on the debate live from Philadelphia.
Debate moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis presented questions about a variety of topics throughout the segment’s 90 minutes, including reproductive healthcare, the Israel-Hamas War, the economy and immigration. The debate was immediately followed by a more than hour-long spin room session in the Convention Center, where The Quad had the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates’ representatives directly. Check out The Quad’s analysis of the debate and politicians’ responses to issues pertinent to the WCU population below.
Style of the Debate
From the debate’s onset, the presence of an undeniable tension hung heavy in the air. The candidates seemed divided right off the bat on whether or not to shake one another’s hands upon entering the debate stage — while Trump appeared to initially head straight for his podium with little regard for the Vice President, the latter beelined her way towards Trump, prompting a somewhat awkward handshake.
Prior to this, ABC News reports that candidates have not shaken hands on a debate stage since 2016.
Disconnect between the two pursued throughout the 90 minutes. Numerous times Harris could be seen casting smirks at her opponent and shaking her head. Each candidate was both the victim and culprit of banter and accusation, accusing the other of espousing falsehoods and criticizing each other’s previous policies.
At times, the candidates’ statements provoked their opponent into fervent attempts at rebuttal. Despite previously established rules by ABC News regarding set time limits for responses and muted mics during non-designated speaking time, the moderators proved rather lenient with the regulations, in fact allowing the candidates to continue speaking and rebutting beyond the time limit.
The role of the moderators in mediating the debate contrasted with the last presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Trump this past June, where moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash received criticism for their lack of in-the-moment fact checking of the candidates’ statements. This time around, Muir and Davis assumed a far more involved role, making five separate asides to refute claims made on stage. Notably, all of the moderators’ corrections concerned Trump’s statements.
Reproductive Health
A big ticket item of the discussion was abortion — a segment of clear contention between the candidates. At one point, Harris became visibly agitated by Trump’s statements, which included a claim by Trump that medical providers “executed” babies after birth as a form of abortion. This claim is demonstrably false, and was refuted live by Davis.
Furthermore, Trump’s response to his stance on abortion reflected a sense of pride regarding the repeal of Roe v. Wade; he commended the Supreme Court that ruled on Dobbs v. Jackson and stated that the topic of reproductive rights should be at the discretion of the states. When posed with the question of whether he would veto a national abortion ban, Trump said “we don’t have to discuss it.”
When asked whether she would support restrictions of any kind on abortion, Harris dodged the question, electing to state that “I absolutely support reinstating the protections of Roe v. Wade.” Harris took a strong stance against government control over bodily autonomy.
Israel-Hamas War
Among the divisive topics discussed at the debate, one of chief importance, particularly to younger voters, was the Israel-Hamas War. While Harris did note that the Palestinian people have a right to self-determination and safety within their own state, she emphatically reaffirmed her commitment to the preservation and protection of Israel, echoing the current Biden administration’s stance. She further advocated for the need of a two-state solution.
Former President Trump chose not to speak on specific plans or policies of his own, opting to levy criticisms and accusations at Harris. He began his rebuttal by referencing a different international conflict, the war in Ukraine, claiming that it would have never happened under his watch, nor would have the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7. Trump claimed that Harris “hates” Israel and that, if she were elected president, the nation would be gone “within two years.” He additionally chastised Harris for not meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent diplomatic visit, claiming she instead went to a “sorority party.”
Neither candidate assumed a vehemently pro-Palestinian position, both of them strongly verbalizing support for Israel in different ways.
Economy
On the subject of the economy, Harris began with a strong focus on her tangible policy goals — an ideal she names the “opportunity economy.” The first proposed program is a $6,000 child tax credit to support young families, who may choose to use the money to help pay for childcare or other necessities. The second is a $50,000 tax deduction for small business start-ups, which serves as a proponent of local economic development and hopes to build out the middle class. Harris also briefly addressed the concern that housing in America has become increasingly unaffordable for young Americans. To help alleviate this economic stress, Harris hopes to provide many first-time home buyers with $25,000 in down payment assistance.
The Vice President also lambasted Trump for having an economic platform which she claims does not value the needs of the working and middle classes, citing his generous tax cuts for the wealthy.
The Vice President continued her policy-oriented offensive by explaining to the audience the potential ramifications of Trump’s tariff proposal. The former President has proposed a universal tariff which would make no distinction between allies and adversaries, taxing all imports which would flow into the U.S.. Harris cited that prominent economists, including 16 Nobel laureates, predict that such a policy would pass those costs directly onto the American consumer. She relayed evidence that families would see their cost of living increase by $4,000 per year under this so-called “Trump tax.”
Trump began his rebuttal by rejecting the idea that any proposed tariff would function as a sales tax. He reasoned that such a policy would force other countries to “pay us back for all that we’ve done for the world.” The former President did not directly address the concern that costs could be passed along to consumers, instead opting to blame the Biden-Harris administration for inflation, a hot-button issue which has been at the forefront of voter issues. Trump characterized inflation under the current administration as being “probably the worst in our nation’s history.” This is false. While June 2022 saw the highest inflation rate in 40 years at 9.1%, the inflation of the 1980s saw a 14% rate, as well as an 11.1% increase in 1974, according to Forbes. Trump also presented undocumented immigrants as a threat to the American economy, repeating a talking point which claims they are taking “jobs that are occupied right now by African-Americans and Hispanics.”
Immigration
Possibly the most egregious lie told by the former President came when he claimed that undocumented immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were abducting and eating household pets. According to AP News, Springfield city manager, Bryan Heck, released a statement addressing this rumor, stating that, “We wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.” This harmful lie is the latest attempt by Trump to cast the immigrant community as a vilified “other,” a group which he has claimed in the past is, “poisoning the blood of our country,” according to NBC News.
Trump also affirmed his plan to forcibly remove 11 million undocumented immigrants, using the National Guard, military or local police forces as needed. He claimed that immigrants were “taking over” large parts of American cities. Specifically, Trump cited Aurora, Colorado as a town which has been “violently” overtaken by migrants, a claim which is demonstrably false. This rumor stemmed purely from social media posts, which claimed that an apartment complex had been taken over by a Venezuelan gang, according to NBC News. AP News reports that local police confirmed that no gang had taken control of any buildings or other portions of the city. Regardless, Trump seems intent on using baseless claims such as these as justification for what would constitute one of the largest forced relocations of people in human history.
In response to Trump calling Harris the “Border Czar,” the Vice President was eager to point out that she was a champion of the bipartisan border security bill. She stated that the bill was written in cooperation with some of Congress’ most conservative members, and also had the endorsement of the U.S. Border Patrol. Harris condemned Trump for his efforts to kill the legislation via his Congressional allies, claiming it was done purely to strengthen his presidential bid.
Statements from the Spin Room
The following are direct quotations from representatives and spokespeople interviewed by The Quad before and after the debate.
Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D)
Q: “What would the Democratic Party’s message be to young voters regarding the affordability of public universities, and the perception among young people that they’re coming into a workforce that they’re disadvantaged in?”
A: “Well, I think young people today have an unprecedented obstacle in the cost of higher education, but I can tell you the difference between Kamala and Donald Trump is really clear. Donald Trump and Project 2025 have made it clear that they would eliminate the Department of Education. As opposed to Kamala, who comes from the Biden-Harris administration that is doing everything they can to lower student loan debt and, in fact, to get us to a place where we can have debt free college… We need to make sure that young people can afford college, can get out of college debt free, and then also be able to have jobs where they can afford to buy their first homes. And you saw her make a proposal for home ownership, and her tax credit that she’s talking about for young entrepreneurs is critically important. Instead of supporting big business and the ultra rich we should be supporting young people who are just starting out, because that is the economic future for our nation.”
Florida Rep. Byron Donalds (R)
Q: “Why should young people, especially students, vote for President Trump?”
A: “Because under President Trump you will have an economy where inflation is low and we’ll be growing. You need to have growth in an economy. If you look at the economic record of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, our economy is actually receding. We are not growing like we should, and inflation has been a crippler to young kids… [Young voters] have to grow up in an economy, they have to get educated, they have to find a career, they have to buy a home. All of that is significantly better with Donald Trump. How do we do it? He has said repeatedly we’re gonna cut regulations, we’re gonna lower taxes, we’re gonna bring manufacturing back, we’re gonna become even more energy dominant. Those are the things you need in order to have a vibrant economy.”
Q: “How would you address the concerns that Trump’s tariff proposal for a 20% [increased] tax across the board would pass those costs along to the American consumer?”
A: “The tariff proposal deals with making sure that you’re holding other countries accountable. If they’re not gonna be equitable in our trade deals with us, and there is no stake, i.e. tariffs, then they’re gonna continue to manipulate it and that’s to the detriment of the American people. The other thing I will say about tariff policy, and [Trump] actually said this as well — if the tariff policy is so bad, how come Kamala Harris hasn’t gotten rid of it? They have not. They have kept Donald Trump’s tariff policy. [Trump] also talked about energy. He said they were moving towards this crazy green new deal stuff, until the prices of oil started going up massively, and what did they start doing? Slowly reverse course, very quietly, back to some of Trump’s policies because that was working for the American people, for the American consumer.
President of NARAL Pro-Choice America, Mini Timmaraju
Q: “Reproductive freedom is incredibly important to students. What do you think students should take away from the two candidates’ stances on abortion in the debate?”
A: “In my mind, one of the most important things that the Vice President needed to do tonight was draw very clear, plain contrast — she did that, she was successful. I think she presented herself as a compassionate candidate who really understands the stakes. She brought to the debate stage the women most affected by these bans. It is so important to acknowledge that they are the ones most impacted. But students, they are the first generation to be entering their reproductive years without this fundamental freedom. So for them, if I’m a student, I’m watching to see who’s responsible and who’s gonna fix it. She really made it clear that Donald Trump was responsible.”
Political Activist David Bossie
Q: “How do you think Ex-President Trump portrayed himself to young voters who are going to be voting in this election?”
A: “I think he did a great job. He’s the only person who said that young people deserve a future. Young people deserve a president who is going to have policies that are going to give young people a future. Versus the last four years of economic chaos and carnage for young people, middle-aged people, old people, it doesn’t matter. This economy doesn’t discriminate, it’s bad for everyone. Only by having someone who believes in the American dream can you get a president who will create policies, and not just policies, but a spirit. A hope, and aspirations, that young people actually have a future.”
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D)
Q: “To what extent do you think Kamala Harris was able to successfully plead her case to young voters, particularly on issues such as the environment, the economy and abortion?”
A: “Well, women’s reproductive freedom, abortion rights, she was very strong, and Donald Trump, clearly we know where he stands on taking away women’s reproductive freedoms. Climate change came at the end, but she made a strong case as to why we need to take steps to fight climate change, but that also helps our economy. And just the preservation of democracy. Here’s a guy who still doesn’t believe he lost the 2020 election, that should ring alarm bells for anyone who values our democracy.”
Florida Rep. Michael Waltz (R)
Q: “How do you think Ex-President Trump represented himself to young voters who are going to be voting this election?”
A: “I think he made the case [that] lives were better under his administration. Whether it was reforms for veterans, reforms on justice, reforms in the economy… Policy after policy, trade deals, the Abraham Accords, that all happened under his administration, and contrasted that with what’s happened the last three years.
Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy (D)
Q: “What would your thoughts be on Kamala Harris’ ability to heal the division that the country is dealing with right now?”
A: “How many times tonight did she talk about healing in this country, how many times did she talk about viewing each other as neighbors, and fellow Americans? How many times did she look Donald Trump in the eye and call him out for his bigotry, for his bullying? One of the running themes of this debate was her clear message that she is going to bring this country together, her closing statement spoke to Republicans and Democrats. Donald Trump did the same thing he always does — called her names, he engaged in awful bullying and bigoted statements about people different from him. I think the contrast was very clear, Kamala Harris was vocally enthusiastically talking about the need to bring this country together, Donald Trump was doing what he always does, trying to tear us apart.”
Olivia Schlinkman is a fourth-year Political Science major with minors in Journalism and Spanish. os969352@wcupa.edu
Carlo Constantine is a third-year Political Science major with a minor in Journalism. cc1031591@wcupa.edu