Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump took the stage at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on September 10th for a contentious debate. The pair covered many hot topics with the hopes of swaying undecided voters, as the two candidates are essentially tied in recent polls.

Viewers from all over the world tuned in to watch this historical debate following Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race on July 21st, which made it possible for Harris to become the Democratic candidate. 

Moderated by ABC anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis, the two presidential candidates battled for 90 minutes in their first ever face-to-face meeting.

The candidates began the event by shaking hands and wishing each other luck. Former President Trump won the coin toss and chose to give the closing statement. 

The discussion quickly turned to the economy, with Harris criticizing Trump for policies she claimed benefited the wealthy, such as tax cuts for billionaires. She proposed a $6,000 child tax credit and a $50,000 deduction for small businesses to address income inequality and rising living costs. Trump denied Harris’s "sales tax" claim, crediting economic issues to the Biden administration and defending his tariffs on China, claiming they were beneficial. He accused Harris’s policies of weakness, even labeling her as a Marxist.

The debate then shifted to immigration. Harris was asked why the Biden administration delayed putting stricter asylum restrictions in place despite high illegal border crossings. Trump accused Harris of failing in her role and distracted the goals of the debate by discussing rally crowd sizes and making claims about immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. Muir argued these claims as the city manager of Springfield reported there was no evidence of this being true. Trump’s proposal for a large-scale deportation was met with criticism from Harris, who emphasized the need for reform rather than extreme levels of enforcement.

Abortion was up next. Trump defended his support for the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, highlighting his exceptions for rape, incest, and the mother’s health. He also addressed his six-week abortion ban, denying involvement to place a national ban and denying involvement with "Project 2025." Harris countered Trump's claims, accusing him of harming women's reproductive rights by strategically appointing conservative Supreme Court justices in order to overturn Roe v. Wade. Harris stressed her commitment to reinstating Roe v. Wade’s protection.

Davis brought up the 2020 Election and January 6. Trump defended his actions on January 6, claiming he urged a peaceful protest and blamed Pelosi and the D.C. Mayor for not keeping the Capital secure enough. He repeated his belief that the 2020 election was stolen. Harris, who was at the Capitol during the January 6 riot, criticized Trump's role in the attack. She emphasized the harm caused, including injuries to over 140 law enforcement officers. Harris urged voters to move forward and "turn the page" on Trump’s past, pushing her campaign as a stand for democracy and the following of law.

The candidates debated foreign policy issues, including the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Ukraine war. Harris advocated for a cease-fire and a two-state solution, while Trump labeled her as anti-Israel and weak on national security. On the topic of Ukraine, Trump promised a quick end to the war, contrasting with Harris’s support for Biden’s and NATO’s actions. The debate also covered the 2020-2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, with Harris criticizing Trump’s Taliban negotiations and Trump blaming the current administration for the chaotic exit.

Muir addressed Trump’s recent controversial remarks about Harris’s racial identity where he stated, "I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black.” Harris labeled Trump’s comments as divisive, recalling his past controversies, while Trump downplayed the significance of racial identity and shifted focus to economic issues. He admitted to trying to improve Obamacare but criticized it as lacking without giving any insight to his replacement plan. Harris highlighted her plans for economic improvement, small business support, and family assistance, showing her optimistic approach with Trump’s more critical ideas.

Finally, Davis brought up climate change. Harris emphasized the Biden administration’s significant investments in clean energy and job creation. She criticized Trump’s record on manufacturing jobs and his handling of energy policies. Trump countered, claiming that manufacturing jobs continued to decline and accusing Biden of being influenced by foreign interests.

In their closing statements, Harris underscored her commitment to progress and unity, promising to support American families and uphold human’s fundamental rights. Trump critiqued Harris’s time in the office, accusing her of failing to address key issues and weakening the country. The debate highlighted their contrasting visions for America’s future, setting the stage for a contentious campaign. While the debate did not produce any dramatic shifts in polling, Harris was considered the winner by the vast majority of political analysts due to her focused approach.