Trump-Harris debate 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 11, 2024, 12:52 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:
Sep 11, 12:12 am

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.

Sep 10, 2024, 12:46 PM EDT

Biden to watch debate from New York

President Joe Biden will be watching the debate from New York, where he's going to be for 9/11 memorial events, according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

"The president will definitely be watching," she said in Monday’s briefing.

Jean-Pierre wouldn't give details on any conversations about the debate between Harris and Biden or whether he's given her any takeaways from his own last face-off with Trump, but she said the president was "very proud" of Harris.

"What I can say is, that he'll be watching, he supports, obviously, the vice president, is very proud of her, and I just don't have anything else to add," she said.

President Joe Biden holds up Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris's hand during a campaign rally at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 5 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 2, 2024.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

- ABC News’ Cheyenne Haslett

Sep 10, 2024, 12:58 PM EDT

5 things to watch in the high-stakes Harris-Trump faceoff

Harris and Trump square off Tuesday at what could be their only presidential debate, setting high stakes for an event expected to be viewed by millions of Americans and a key sliver of undecided voters. Here’s what to look out for.

Can Trump stay focused on policy? Staying on message on his four-year economic record is key, while veering into personal attacks would be counterproductive, allies told ABC News.

Harris has dual goals: make the case for herself as someone who would be a capable president and get under Trump's skin. How will she introduce herself to undecided voters?

Read the rest of the five things to watch for in the debate here.

Sep 10, 2024, 12:00 PM EDT

Walz fundraising email says 'Trump is sure to talk about his twisted version of freedom'

Gov. Tim Walz, Harris' running mate, previewed the vice president's upcoming debate with Trump in a fundraising email on Tuesday morning -- contrasting their campaign's message on the economy and freedom with Trump's platforms.

"She's going to show everyone watching what this movement is all about: supporting families like yours and mine and building a future where everyone has the opportunity not just to get by, but to get ahead," the email reads. "Donald Trump is sure to talk about his twisted version of freedom," Walz claimed in the email.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a campaign stop at Laborfest, Sept. 2, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Morry Gash/AP

-ABC News' Isabella Murray

Sep 10, 2024, 11:46 AM EDT

Harris and Trump to have various surrogates in spin room

Harris and Trump will have a handful of surrogates representing them in the spin room following the debate.

Harris will have Govs. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Gavin Newsom of California, Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico representing her in the spin room post debate, a campaign official confirmed to ABC News.

In addition to attending a watch party hosted by the Trump campaign, GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance will also participate in the spin room.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Gov. Doug Burgum, tech entreprenuer Vivek Ramaswamy, Sen. Marco Rubio, Rep. Bryon Donalds, and Sen. Rick Scott are also expected to appear on behalf of Trump.

-ABC News’ Fritz Farrow, Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Will McDuffie, Kelsey Walsh, Lalee Ibssa, and Soo Rin Kim