US Presidential Debate 2024: Point-by-Point Harris and Trump Face Off On Economy, Abortion, and Immigration

Donald Trump arrived in Philadelphia for a crucial televised debate with Kamala Harris, their first and possibly only face-off before November's close US presidential election. With the candidates neck-and-neck in the polls and just 56 days before the vote, the 90-minute debate could be pivotal.

Trump, 78, is expected to attack Harris on the economy and immigration, while Harris, the first female, Black, and South Asian vice president, may focus on reproductive rights and challenge Trump on recent controversies. The debate will be held without an audience, with microphones controlled to avoid interruptions.

Photo Credit: PTI

US Presidential Debate 2024 LIVE Updates: Trump And Harris Face Off

07:55:39 Harris and Trump Clash Over Economic Performance and Policy

In the debate, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump sparred over economic issues, including jobs and inflation. Harris accused Trump of leaving Democrats with "the worst unemployment since the Great Depression," although joblessness spiked to 14.8% during the pandemic and was 6.4% when Trump left office. She proposed a $6,000 tax credit per child and a $50,000 deduction for small businesses while criticizing Trump for favouring the wealthy and planning a sales tax.

Trump, on the other hand, criticized Biden's administration for high inflation, citing incorrect figures of up to 60% when the current rate is 2.9%. Trump admitted he wouldn't impose a sales tax but would implement trade tariffs of at least 10%, which could increase costs for consumers.

07:54:48 Harris: Putin Would 'Eat Trump for Lunch'

In the debate, Kamala Harris accused Donald Trump of being too accommodating to strongmen like Vladimir Putin, asserting that Trump would "give up" under pressure from the Russian leader. Harris warned that Putin would be aggressively expanding his influence in Europe, starting with Kyiv and Poland.

07:53:38 Trump Challenges Harris with 'Why Hasn't She Done It?'

Trump used the line "why hasn't she done it?" as a focal point of his critique, a phrase his team had been preparing for days.

07:52:17 Harris Declares 'We're Not Going Back' in Closing Statement

In her closing remarks, Kamala Harris emphasized her campaign's focus on the future and contrasted it with Donald Trump's backward-looking approach. Reiterating a key campaign theme, she stated, "We're not going back."

07:51:23Harris Highlights Trump's History of Racial Division

Kamala Harris called attention to Trump's long history of racial division, citing past instances such as his company's investigation for racial discrimination and his calls for the execution of the "Central Park Five," who were later exonerated. She also noted Trump's promotion of false "birther" theories about President Barack Obama.

07:50:34 Harris Criticizes Trump for 'Belittling' and 'Name-Calling'

Kamala Harris has emphasized her contrast with Trump by portraying herself as someone who uplifts and Trump as someone who demeans. She criticized Trump for "belittling" and "name-calling," pledging instead to bring a "sense of optimism" if elected president.

07:49:54 Trump Questions Harris' Race, Claims Indifference

Trump questioned Kamala Harris' racial identity, stating, "I read where she was not Black, ... and then I read that she was Black." Despite this, he insisted, "I couldn't care less. Whatever she wants to be is okay with me." Harris denounced Trump's remarks as a "tragedy," accusing him of using race to divide Americans throughout his career.

07:48:29Affordable Care Act Gains Popularity in Polls

Trump faces a challenge with his criticisms of the Affordable Care Act, as it has grown significantly more popular since its passage in 2010. A recent KFF Health Tracking Poll shows 62% of U.S. adults now view the ACA favourably, up from 46% in 2010.

07:47:22 Candidates Clash Over Time Management

Both candidates have exceeded their allotted time multiple times, with Trump notably ignoring the time clock more frequently than Harris.

07:46:34 Trump Must Tread Lightly with Personal Attacks on Harris

Donald Trump needs to be cautious with his personal attacks on Kamala Harris. A Pew Research Center poll indicates that about two-thirds of voters believe Trump has been "too personally critical" of Harris.

07:45:51 Trump Claims Harris Would Lead to Israel's Destruction

During the debate, Donald Trump accused Kamala Harris of failing to support Israel, claiming that under her presidency, the country would be "gone" within two years. He alleged that Harris "hates Israel," a statement Harris strongly denied, asserting her longstanding support for the nation throughout her career.

07:44:44 Trump Criticizes Biden's Afghan Withdrawal

Trump condemned the Biden administration's handling of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, asserting that "they blew it."

07:43:59 Trump Avoids Choosing Sides in Ukraine War

After a commercial break, Trump was asked if he wanted Ukraine to win the war against Russia. He responded, "I want the war to stop," avoiding taking a side between Russia and Ukraine. His answer is expected to spark discussion, particularly given his perceived closeness to Vladimir Putin.

07:42:11 Trump Defends January 6 Conduct, Blames Pelosi, and Refutes 2020 Loss Acknowledgment

Donald Trump defended his actions on January 6, 2021, claiming he urged protesters to march "peacefully and patriotically" and criticized the justice system for its treatment of rioters. He also denied acknowledging his 2020 election loss, labelling his previous comments as sarcastic.

07:41:53 Israel-Hamas War Discussed After an Hour

Kamala Harris affirmed Israel's right to self-defence, comparing it to the U.S. response if attacked, and supported a "two-state solution." Donald Trump, as he has previously, claimed the conflict wouldn't have occurred under his presidency and accused Harris of "hating Israel."

07:40:14 Harris: 'World Leaders Are Laughing at Trump'

Kamala Harris criticized Donald Trump, saying he struggles to accept being rejected by 81 million voters and is seen as a disgrace by military leaders, with world leaders laughing at him.

07:35:24 Trump Claims Sarcasm Behind 'Lost by a Whisker' Comment

When questioned about his admission of losing the 2020 election, Donald Trump insisted his previous remarks about "coming up short" were sarcastic. He reiterated that he does not acknowledge losing the 2020 election.

07:34:22 Harris and Trump Clash Over January 6 Riots

Donald Trump claimed he had no involvement in the January 6 riots beyond delivering a speech and placed the blame on Nancy Pelosi. In contrast, Kamala Harris recounted being at the Capitol that day and accused Trump of inciting the violent mob that attacked and desecrated the nation's capital.

07:30:44 Trump Cites Viral Post Claiming Immigrants Are Eating Pets

Donald Trump repeated a debunked social media rumour suggesting that Haitian immigrants are stealing and eating pets, saying, "In Springfield they are eating dogs, cats." ABC News later corrected Trump, reporting that the Springfield city manager denied such attacks and that the rumour originated from a Facebook post with no factual basis.

07:29:43 Trump Accuses Harris of Allowing Criminals and Terrorists into the US

Trump charged Kamala Harris with permitting "millions of criminals, terrorists, and drug dealers" into the US, claiming that such policies have increased crime rates and "destroyed the fabric of this country."

07:28:44 Harris and Trump Clash Over Republican Support

Kamala Harris highlighted her endorsements from over 200 Republicans who have worked under Trump, while Trump responded by stating, "I am a different kind of person. I have fired those people."

07:27:32 Trump vs. Harris on Immigration: 'We'll Become Venezuela on Steroids'

Donald Trump attacked Kamala Harris and the Biden administration over illegal migration, warning that the country would become "Venezuela on steroids" if Harris were to become president.

07:21:14 Trump Blames Democrats for July Assassination Attempt

Trump attributed the July attempt on his life, during which he was shot in the ear, to the Democratic Party's rhetoric against him.

07:20:07 Trump Responds to Harris's Legal Critique, Calls Charges 'Fake Cases'

Trump defended himself against Harris's comments on his legal troubles, which include accusations of national security crimes, economic crimes, election interference, and sexual assault. He labelled these charges as "fake cases" and claimed they were part of political persecution.

07:18:20 Trump Criticizes Biden and Harris for Failing on Student Loan Forgiveness

Trump condemned President Biden and Kamala Harris for not fulfilling their promise of student loan forgiveness. While some borrowers have received relief, key aspects of the plan have been stalled due to Republican opposition and ongoing lawsuits. Recently, the Supreme Court refused to lift an injunction that would have enabled the implementation of part of the student loan forgiveness plan.

07:16:27 Harris Invites Viewers to Attend Trump Rally, Criticizes His Rhetoric

Kamala Harris urged viewers to attend one of Donald Trump's rallies, calling it an "interesting" experience. She criticized Trump for discussing "fictional characters" like Hannibal Lector and claimed that people often leave his rallies early due to exhaustion. Trump appeared unsettled when responding to a question about an immigration measure he advised Republicans against supporting.

07:15:15 Trump Continues to Spread Falsehoods About Democrats and Post-Birth Abortions

Trump repeatedly criticized Democrats for being "too liberal" on abortion, falsely claiming they support abortions after childbirth. He also faced scrutiny for his changing positions on abortion, including his reversal of Florida's abortion rights ballot initiative.

07:12:16 Trump Repeats False Claims About Abortions Later in Pregnancy

During the debate, Trump reiterated misleading claims about abortions later in pregnancy. Despite his assertions, no state permits infanticide, and such practices are criminalized nationwide. Abortion rights advocates argue that terms like "late-term abortions" are used to stigmatize a procedure that is extremely rare, with less than 1% of abortions in the US performed at or after 21 weeks, according to the CDC.

07:08:45 Harris Claims Trump Would Sign National Abortion Ban if Elected

In the 2024 US Presidential Debate, Kamala Harris stated that Donald Trump would sign a national abortion ban if he won the election.

07:07:39 Trump Accuses Democrats of Supporting Abortion Up to Birth

In response to questions about his stance on reproductive rights, Trump falsely claimed that Democrats, including Walz, support abortion up to the moment of birth.

07:04:20 Harris: Government and Trump Shouldn't Dictate Women's Choices

Kamala Harris stated in the debate that neither the government nor Donald Trump should dictate what women do with their bodies.

07:03:00 Trump Targets Harris with 'Marxist' Label

In his first personal attack of the evening, Trump labelled Harris a "Marxist," stating, "She's a Marxist, everybody knows she's a Marxist." This comment adds to the history of racist and sexist remarks Harris has faced from the former president.

06:58:19 Trump Criticizes Biden Administration's Economic Record

Trump claimed his proposed tariffs would generate "hundreds of billions of dollars," asserting that his presidency saw "virtually no inflation." He criticized the Biden administration for reversing these gains, accusing Harris and Biden of "literally killing" the economy and ruining the nation's progress.

06:56:27 Harris Highlights Middle Class; Trump Shifts to Immigration

Under economic pressure, Harris emphasized her middle-class upbringing and her commitment to an "opportunity economy," criticizing Trump's policies for raising costs. Trump, rejecting her claims, focused on tariffs on foreign imports and quickly pivoted to immigration, alleging that people are "pouring into the country."

06:49:54 Trump Reiterates Distance from Project 2025

Trump once again distanced himself from Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation initiative developed by former administration officials. "I haven't read it. I don't want to read it, purposefully. I'm not going to read it," he stated. Democrats have prominently used the conservative proposals of the project in their attacks against him.

06:48:38 Trump Shifts Focus, Blames Immigrants for Job Losses

In his initial response on the economy, Trump pivoted to his familiar anti-immigration rhetoric, alleging that criminal immigrants from "insane asylums" are stealing jobs from African Americans and others.

06:46:12 Trump Pledges to Revamp Global Trade with Tough Tariffs

In response to Harris' suggestion that his proposed tariffs would act like a sales tax, Donald Trump vowed to implement tariffs on foreign goods to strengthen the American economy.

06:44:11 The First Question Targets the Economy and Cost of Living

The debate opens with a question on the economy and cost of living, critical issues for voters. In her response about whether Americans are better off than four years ago, Kamala Harris highlighted her plans to support small businesses and families, while accusing Trump of favouring tax cuts for "billionaires and big corporations."

06:42:52 Harris says I have a plan for an opportunity economy

In her first debate, Kamala Harris said that she has a plan for an opportunity economy.

06:37:53 Trump, Harris Take the Stage for Debut Face-Off

Both candidates have stepped onto the stage. Kamala Harris approached Donald Trump at his lectern, extending her hand for a handshake, which he accepted. Harris deliberately introduced herself by name, underscoring to viewers that this is their first-ever meeting.

06:33:14 Harris and Trump Gear Up for Anticipated Presidential Debate

Republican Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris are set to face off for the first time in their only scheduled debate of the US presidential campaign on Tuesday night. This nationally televised event, beginning at 9 pm ET (0100 GMT Wednesday), comes just eight weeks before the November 5 election and days before early voting starts in several states.

06:26:09 Trump Arrives in Philadelphia for Crucial Debate Against Harris

Donald Trump arrived in Philadelphia on Tuesday for a pivotal televised debate with Kamala Harris. This is their first and possibly only encounter before the closely contested US presidential election in November. With millions expected to watch at 9:00 pm Eastern Time (0100 GMT Wednesday), the stakes are incredibly high for both the Democratic vice president and the Republican former president.