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, 4:50 PM EDT

Hillary Clinton said Kamala Harris should 'bait' Trump during tonight’s debate

Hillary Clinton gave some advice to Vice President Kamala Harris on tonight's debate, according to The New York Times.

"She just should not be baited. She should bait him. He can be rattled," Clinton told The Times during a recent phone interview.

Clinton confirmed to NYT that she had spoken to Harris directly and discussed "a number of things" prior to the debate.

As the 2016 Democratic nominee, Clinton has experience debating the former president.

She said she believes Harris "has a lot of good ammunition" and that she's "handling him [Trump] very well."

Sep 10, 2024, 4:41 PM EDT

RNC Chairman Michael Whatley says Trump's 'rested,' 'relaxed' and 'ready to go'

In an interview Tuesday with ABC News' Kyra Phillips, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley said it was unfair of the Harris campaign to suggest Trump would lie on stage tonight.

He also confirmed that Trump will stray away from personal attacks, and that the former president was not nervous.

RNC chairman Michael Whatley speaks about the positive momentum going into tonight's debate for Trump and the unity the Republican Party has despite some not supporting the party's nominee.
7:46

RNC chairman talks about tonight's critical debate

RNC chairman Michael Whatley speaks about the positive momentum going into tonight's debate for Trump and the unity the Republican Party has despite some not supporting the party's nominee.
ABCNews.com

"He feels very comfortable. He's rested, he's relaxed, and he's definitely ready to go," Whatley said.

Whatley also said "this is the most united the Republican Party has been in generations."

– ABC News’ Kelsey Walsh

Sep 10, 2024, 4:35 PM EDT

Sen. JD Vance headlining debate watch party fundraiser in Philadelphia tonight: Sources

The Trump campaign's debate watch party in Philadelphia tonight will take form in a fundraiser with Sen. JD Vance headlining the event, according to sources and an invitation obtained by ABC News.

The invitation doesn't detail the location, other guests or speakers of the night.

Tickets range from $5,000 to $50,000, with a photo opportunity costing $15,000 and a VIP ticket costing $25,000, the invitation shows.

-ABC News' Soo Rin Kim, Hannah Demissie, Lalee Ibssa, and Kelsey Walsh

Sep 10, 2024, 4:10 PM EDT

Presidential candidates haven't shaken hands at debate since 2016

There are no rules requiring Harris and Trump to shake hands before or after the debate.

If they do, it would mark the first time since 2016 that the candidates have shaken hands. Trump and Biden did not shake hands during their two matchups in 2020.

Trump contracted COVID-19 following the first debate.

The two candidates also didn't shake their hands during the June debate.