“Debate Dissection: Who Won the Trump-Harris Face-Off?”
Kamala Harris Slams Trump on Ukraine War in Debate
In a heated exchange during the presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris strongly criticized Donald Trump’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war. Harris argued that if Trump were president, Russian leader Vladimir Putin would have already taken control of Kyiv.
Harris: Trump Would Have Given Up Ukraine to Putin
Harris rebuked Trump’s claim that he could end the war in 24 hours, stating: “I think Donald Trump says this war would be over in 24 hours because he would give it up. If Trump were president, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv right now ”.continued, “Putin would be sitting in Kyiv with his eyes on the rest of Europe, starting with Poland. And you know how quickly you would give up for the sake of favor and what you think is a friendship with a dictator who would eat you for lunch.
Trump Alleges Harris Met With Putin Before Invasion
Trump suggested that Harris’s diplomatic efforts to negotiate peace just days before the conflict began were unsuccessful in preventing Putin’s invasion. He claimed this perceived weakness emboldened Putin to proceed with his military plans. However, Harris firmly denied meeting with Putin, calling Trump’s allegation “another lie”. She affirmed meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky several times.
Harris Defends U.S. Leadership on Ukraine
Harris argued that the U.S. must stand as a leader upholding international rules and norms, and show strength by supporting its allies. She criticized Trump’s tendency to “favor enemies” and “adore strongmen” instead of caring about democracy.The exchange highlighted the stark contrast between the candidates’ approaches to the Ukraine war. Harris emphasized the importance of continued U.S. support for Ukraine, while Trump suggested he would seek to end the conflict on terms potentially favorable to Russia.
Kamala Harris Aims to Get Under Trump’s Skin
Harris made a concerted effort to rattle Trump, urging viewers to attend his rallies where he would make bizarre claims like windmills cause cancer. Trump took the bait, boasting about his rally crowds and accusing Harris of busing in attendees
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Handshake Marks Historic Moment
Before the debate began, Harris walked over to Trump at his podium and extended her hand, introducing herself as “Kamala Harris’s. This was the first time two U.S. presidential candidates have shaken hands since 2016.The handshake marked a historic moment, as Harris became the first woman, Black, and South Asian American to be nominated for president by a major party.
Impact on the Race
Commentators noted Harris appeared more composed and coherent than Trump, who often veered off topic. However, the debate’s impact on voter sentiment remains to be seen Pop star Taylor Swift endorsed Harris after the debate, which could help energize younger voters. But Trump’s base remains firmly behind him With the race neck-and-neck, the debate was a crucial moment. Harris aimed to define herself in contrast to Trump, while he sought to regain momentum after a challenging summer for his campaign.
Conclusion
Overall, Harris’s performance was characterized by a blend of assertiveness and strategic questioning, effectively challenging Trump’s narrative and keeping him on the defensive. While both candidates maintained their respective messages, Harris’s ability to provoke Trump and control key moments of the debate may resonate with voters as the election approaches.