Full Debate: Harris vs. Trump in 2024 Presidential Debate | WSJ

The Wall Street Journal2 minutes read

Vice President Harris focused on opportunity economy, contrasting her policies with Trump's economic record and highlighting plans for child tax credits and small business tax deductions. Trump defended his pre-pandemic economy's success, policies on tariffs, and accused Harris of changing stances, with both candidates discussing immigration, abortion, and foreign policy during the debate.

Insights

  • President Trump and Vice President Harris had a face-off in the ABC News presidential debate in Philadelphia, showcasing starkly different economic policies. Harris advocated for an "opportunity economy" with tax credits and deductions, contrasting Trump's tax cuts for the wealthy and sales tax proposals.
  • Immigration emerged as a significant point of contention, with President Trump highlighting concerns about the influx of people harming the economy and Vice President Harris criticizing his stance on immigration policies, particularly border security.
  • The debate encompassed a wide array of topics, from economic policies to abortion laws and foreign policy decisions, illustrating the divergent visions of the candidates for the future of the nation.

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  • What were the main topics discussed in the ABC News presidential debate?

    The ABC News presidential debate covered economic policies, immigration, abortion, and national security.

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Summary

00:00

Harris and Trump Clash in Philly Debate

  • Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump faced off in a high-stakes showdown in Philadelphia, their first face-to-face meeting in the presidential election.
  • President Biden withdrew after his last debate, leaving Trump against a new opponent, with both candidates essentially tied in national and key battleground polls.
  • The ABC News presidential debate commenced with no shared topics or questions, each candidate having 2 minutes to answer and 2 minutes for rebuttals.
  • The candidates, separated by a small margin, met in an intimate setting at the National Constitution Center, with Trump winning the coin toss for the final closing statement.
  • Harris focused on an "opportunity economy," offering a $6,000 child tax credit, $50,000 tax deduction for small businesses, contrasting Trump's tax cuts for billionaires and a proposed 20% sales tax on everyday goods.
  • Trump refuted the sales tax claim, emphasizing tariffs on other countries to benefit the US economy, highlighting the pandemic's impact and job creation.
  • Harris criticized Trump's economic legacy, citing high unemployment, public health crises, and attacks on democracy, presenting her plan as a contrast to his policies.
  • Trump defended his economic record, claiming credit for the pre-pandemic economy's success, pandemic response, and military rebuilding.
  • The debate delved into tariffs, with Trump defending them as beneficial to the US and detrimental to China, while Harris criticized the trade deficit and Trump's policies towards China.
  • Trump accused Harris of changing her policies and being a Marxist, while Harris focused on the need for American technological advancement, workforce support, and transparency regarding COVID-19 origins.

18:43

Immigration and Abortion Policies in Debate

  • Millions of people are entering the country monthly, estimated at 21 million, causing significant strain on the nation.
  • The influx of people is viewed as detrimental to the country, with many being labeled as criminals, impacting the economy negatively.
  • President Trump highlights the issue of immigration as a major concern, emphasizing the negative impact on the economy.
  • President Trump discusses his stance on abortion, mentioning his support for exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and the mother's life.
  • He credits the Supreme Court for enabling the states to vote on abortion laws, emphasizing the importance of states' rights in this matter.
  • Vice President Harris accuses President Trump of intending to undo Roe v. Wade protections through Supreme Court appointments, leading to restrictive abortion bans in over 20 states.
  • She criticizes the bans for not allowing exceptions even in cases of rape and incest, highlighting the impact on women's health care and freedoms.
  • President Trump refutes accusations of supporting a national abortion ban, emphasizing the states' authority in deciding abortion laws.
  • Vice President Harris pledges to reinstate Roe v. Wade protections if elected, advocating for women's rights to make decisions about their bodies.
  • The discussion shifts to immigration, with Vice President Harris criticizing President Trump for obstructing a border security bill that would have enhanced resources and prosecution of criminal organizations.

33:20

Controversy in Springfield: Pets Eaten by Immigrants

  • People in Springfield are reportedly eating pets, including dogs and cats, belonging to residents.
  • Claims suggest that individuals from the Immigrant Community are involved in harming and consuming pets in Springfield, Ohio.
  • The City Manager of Springfield denies credible reports of pets being harmed by immigrants.
  • Vice President Harris responds to allegations, highlighting endorsements from prominent Republicans like Mitt Romney and Dick Cheney.
  • President Trump defends his decision to fire officials, citing their incompetence in handling situations like the Afghanistan crisis.
  • President Trump boasts about receiving the highest number of votes in history and criticizes the performance of his predecessors.
  • President Trump discusses his immigration policies, emphasizing the need to deport criminals and terrorists to prevent crime rates from rising.
  • President Trump accuses the FBI of fraudulent statements regarding crime rates and job creation.
  • Vice President Harris criticizes President Trump's conduct, highlighting his legal issues and controversial statements.
  • Vice President Harris defends her policy changes, particularly on fracking and gun control, emphasizing her values and commitment to uplifting people.

48:53

Global Crime Rates Decrease Amid Political Tensions

  • People are entering the country and committing crimes, not just from South America but from all over the world.
  • Crime rates globally are decreasing due to people coming in from various countries.
  • Questions are raised about prosecuting individuals involved in incidents like the Minneapolis and Seattle unrest.
  • Former President Trump denies responsibility for the Capitol incident, blaming Nancy Pelosi for security failures.
  • Vice President Harris accuses Trump of inciting violence and undermining democracy.
  • Trump claims world leaders respected him and feared him, citing examples like China, North Korea, and Russia.
  • Trump criticizes Biden's decisions regarding pipelines and international relations.
  • Trump questions the legitimacy of the 2020 election results, claiming widespread fraud.
  • Harris emphasizes the need for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
  • Trump suggests that under his presidency, conflicts like the Israel-Hamas war would not have occurred, criticizing Harris's approach and predicting dire consequences if she becomes president.

01:03:40

"Hezbollah funding, Middle East conflicts, Trump criticism"

  • Hezbollah and 28 other spheres of terror were previously broke but now have money to spread around.
  • Mention of conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in HTIS and Yemen.
  • Promise to settle the war with Ukraine and Russia quickly if elected.
  • Denial of accusations of hating Israel, emphasizing support for Israel throughout career.
  • Criticism of Donald Trump's weakness and wrong decisions in national security and foreign policy.
  • Accusations of Trump admiring dictators and being manipulated by them.
  • Criticism of Vice President Harris for being weak on national security.
  • Criticism of Biden's decisions regarding the Keystone pipeline and Nordstream 2 deal with Russia.
  • Mention of the ABC News presidential debate in Philadelphia.
  • Discussion of the war in Ukraine, with Trump claiming he can settle it quickly and criticizing Biden's handling of the situation.

01:23:49

Military withdrawal sparks controversy and policy debate.

  • The speaker criticizes the handling of a military withdrawal, highlighting the loss of soldiers, abandonment of Americans, and leaving behind military equipment worth $85 billion.
  • The agreement for the withdrawal was terminated due to the other party's failure to fulfill its obligations.
  • The speaker condemns the withdrawal as the worst and most embarrassing moment in the country's history, linking it to Russia's actions in Ukraine.
  • A discussion shifts to race and politics, with the speaker questioning the appropriateness of commenting on an opponent's racial identity.
  • The opponent responds, criticizing the speaker for using race to divide people and highlighting past discriminatory actions.
  • The opponent emphasizes unity and understanding among Americans, contrasting with divisive tactics.
  • The conversation transitions to policy plans, with the opponent outlining proposals for supporting small businesses, families, and homebuyers.
  • The opponent advocates for discourse focused on investing in American aspirations and dreams, regardless of race or background.
  • The discussion moves to healthcare, with the speaker defending efforts to improve the Affordable Care Act and expressing willingness to replace it with a better plan.
  • The opponent counters, highlighting efforts to strengthen the Affordable Care Act, protect pre-existing conditions, and cap prescription costs.

01:39:06

Political Leaders Debate Future of Nation

  • The mayor of Moscow's wife paid $35 million to an individual, raising questions about corruption and the selling out of the country.
  • President Trump and Vice President Harris presented contrasting visions for the future of the nation during the ABC News presidential debate in Philadelphia.
  • Vice President Harris emphasized her plans for an opportunity economy, protecting fundamental rights, and focusing on the aspirations of the American people, while President Trump criticized her for not fulfilling promises and highlighted concerns about national security and immigration.
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