The debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump offered American voters a glimpse into two contrasting visions for their country’s future, marked by intense exchanges on key issues. Both candidates targeted undecided voters, and aimed to assert themselves as the clear choice for the country’s leadership. What made this debate particularly significant was how it highlighted not only their differences in policy but also their unique political personas.

Ms Harris, known for her prosecutorial style, wasted no time in going on the offensive. From the very beginning, she took the opportunity to challenge Mr Trump’s record on several fronts ~ his handling of the economy, his stance on abortion, and his role in the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot. Ms Harris was particularly sharp in her criticism of Mr Trump’s tariffs, which she argued would harm middle-class Americans by effectively creating a sales tax. Her emphasis on issues like women’s reproductive rights and Mr Trump’s ties to authoritarian leaders was a calculated move to energise her base, particularly women and younger voters, and reach out to those who have not made up their minds.

Ms Harris’s strategy was clear: keep Mr Trump on the defensive and portray him as someone who is fixated on the past, particularly the 2020 election, which she reminded him he had lost. Her comment, Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people, stood out as one of the most pointed jabs of the night, underscoring her position that the country needs to move forward rather than revisit old battles. For his part, Mr Trump aimed to keep the conversation focused on issues like inflation and immigration ~ topics that resonate strongly with his base. He repeatedly tried to tie Ms Harris to President Joe Biden, framing her as a continuation of policies that he claims have caused economic harm and undermined the nation’s security.

His stance on immigration, accusing Ms Harris and Mr Biden of allowing immigrants to “destroy the fabric of our country,” reflected his appeal to voters concerned about border control and national security. One of the most telling aspects of the debate was how Mr Trump responded to Ms Harris’s attacks. While he began with a measured tone, he became increasingly irritated, particularly when Ms Harris mocked his rally attendance. This shift in demeanour played into Ms Harris’s broader strategy of trying to provoke Mr Trump into reacting emotionally, reminding viewers of the volatile side of his personality.

Both candidates laid out clear positions on abortion, an issue that has become increasingly polarising since the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn *Roe v. Wade*. Ms Harris framed the decision as a government overreach into women’s lives, while Mr Trump praised the ruling as a return of power to the states. This exchange encapsulated their broader ideological differences ~ Ms Harris appealing to personal freedoms, while Mr Trump leaned on states’ rights and a conservative judicial victory. In sum, Ms Harris appeared to have won because she reached out beyond her base, while Mr Trump mainly addressed his diehard supporters.