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Trump-Harris debate live updates: Candidates go on attack in zinger-filled showdown

Harris and Trump sparred in the high-stakes showdown.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Meredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, Emily Chang, and Brittany Gaddy
Last Updated: September 10, 2024, 10:22 AM EDT

The first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump turned into a heated matchup that lasted more than 90 minutes.

The night started with a handshake initiated by Harris, but quickly escalated as the vice president bashed Trump over his policies and comments, contending that it was time to "offer is a new generation of leadership for our country."

Trump criticized Harris throughout the debate on topics such as Afghanistan and immigration issues, drawing comparisons between the vice president and President Joe Biden.

With Election Day just eight weeks away, the debate came at a critical point as polls show a neck-and-neck race between the candidates.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing:
12:12 AM EDT

A transcript of the Harris-Trump debate

Harris and Trump met for their first presidential debate on Tuesday night. The consequential matchup was hosted by ABC News at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

Read a transcript of what was said in the 90-minute debate here.

10:22 AM EDT

Harris releases new ad repurposing Obama's dig at Trump

Vice President Kamala Harris repurposed former President Barack Obama's suggestive dig at Trump over what Obama called his "weird obsession with crowd sizes" while speaking at the Democratic National Convention last month.

"Here's a 78-year-old billionaire who has not stopped whining about his problems …" Obama said in the clip used in the ad, just before a clip of Trump at rally plays.

"Ooh, she had a big crowd! Ooh, that crowd," Trump said in the snippet, mocking news reports about turnout for Harris.

"This weird obsession with crowd sizes... it just goes on, and on, and on," Obama says as the ad returns to him, followed by shots of small Trump crowds and sounds of crickets chirping.

"America's ready for a new chapter. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris," Obama says.

The Harris campaign said the ad, titled "Crowd Size," will air on Fox News the day of the debate because "Trump is known to watch" the network.

The 30-second ad is set to air nationally on cable news and in local West Palm Beach and Philadelphia markets.

– ABC News' Fritz Farrow, Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, and Will McDuffie

10:30 AM EDT

Anthony Scaramucci among former Trump officials to serve as Harris surrogates in Philadelphia

Anthony Scaramucci and Olivia Troye, former Trump administration officials, will serve as Kamala Harris surrogates in Philadelphia today, the Harris campaign announced.

"Listen, don't take it from us: Take it from the ones who know Donald Trump the best and who are telling the American people exactly how unfit Trump is to serve as president," Harris spokesman Michael Tyler said.

Scaramucci served as Trump's White House communications director. Troye served as the Homeland Security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, as well as a top aide on the Trump White House coronavirus task force.

According to the campaign, they plan to discuss their support of Harris ahead of tonight's debate.

They are among numerous former Trump staffers who continue to speak out.

– ABC News' Will McDuffie, Fritz Farrow, and Gabriella Abdul-Hakim

PHOTO: Workers complete preparations on the media filing center and spin room for the ABC News Presidential Debate between Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, in Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 2024.
Workers complete preparations on the media filing center and spin room for the ABC News Presidential Debate between Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican candidate former US President Donald Trump, in Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 2024.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

11:13 AM EDT

Debate day arrives in Philadelphia

The stage is set for tonight’s high-stakes showdown in Philadelphia.

The lecterns are placed six feet apart at the National Constitution Center – where Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will meet in person for the first time.

The 9 p.m. ET matchup comes with just eight weeks to go until Election Day amid a tumultuous and unpredictable campaign.

The debate, moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis, will air on ABC and stream on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. Viewers can also stream the debate on the ABC app on a smartphone or tablet, on ABC.com and connected devices. A prime-time pre-debate special will start at 8 p.m. ET.