A presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris took place in Philadelphia on September 10. The highly anticipated face-off, broadcast on ABC News, saw both candidates tackle major issues such as immigration, the economy, and abortion. This was Trump’s first debate with a Democratic Party nominee since Joe Biden’s poorly received performance in the earlier debates. This was also the first time Trump was directly interacting with Harris.
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Trump had previously agreed to debate Kamala Harris but insisted it be hosted by Fox News. According to The Guardian, ABC News debate rules took 'weeks to negotiate,' making the arrangement a complex one. Despite this, Trump seems dissatisfied with how the debate was conducted. Here’s why!
Donald Trump claims the debate was 'Three on one’
The Republican nominee faced tougher competition from Harris compared to Biden. Shortly after the debate concluded, Trump took to social media, claiming it was his ‘best ever’ despite being a ‘three on one’ affair, reports NDTV World. He accused ABC moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis of siding with Harris.
Trump said:
I thought that was my best Debate, EVER, especially since it was THREE ON ONE!
Reportedly, a Trump campaign spokesperson texted a New York Post reporter ‘3 on 1’ near the end of the debate. By ‘3 on 1’ Trump meant that ABC News moderators helped Harris more.
Additionally, Trump said in his Fox & Friends interview that he won his ‘best ever’ debate ‘by a lot,’ according to The Guardian. He attacked ABC News for correcting him and claimed Harris told ‘outright lies’ but wasn’t interrupted. Calling the debate ‘rigged,’ Trump said:
So many things I said were debunked, like totally debunked. But she could say anything she wanted. My stuff was right, but they would correct you.
Meanwhile, David Muir and Linsey Davis were praised for their strong handling of the first presidential debate by many. Their performance was noted for live fact-checking, with many applauding their efforts to keep the debate focused.
Kamala Harris wants another debate with Donald Trump
Moments after Tuesday’s event, Harris campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon insisted that the Democrats are ready for another debate with Trump, according to The Hill. In a statement, she said:
Under the bright lights, the American people got to see the choice they will face this fall at the ballot box: between moving forward with Kamala Harris, or going backwards with Trump. That’s what they saw tonight and what they should see at a second debate in October.
Adding:
Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?
According to Trump, this proposal for a second debate by Harris means that she ‘lost’ the first one. He said:
She wants to do another one because she was beaten tonight. I don’t know if we’re going to do another one. She wants a second debate because she lost tonight, very badly… we’ll think about that.
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Sources used
The Guardian: ABC News hosts of Harris-Trump debate praised for keeping candidates on-topic
NDTV World: "It Was Three On One": Trump's 1st Reaction After Debate With Kamala Harris
The Guardian: Trump claims he won presidential debate ‘by a lot’ and that Taylor Swift will ‘pay the price’ for endorsing Harris – live US election updates
New York Post: Trump rattled as well-prepped Harris gets help from ABC debate moderators: ‘3 on 1’
The Hill: Harris campaign promptly calls for another debate against Trump
