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Trump-Harris debate live updates: Candidates spar over Project 2025, economy

Harris and Trump will meet each other for the first time tonight.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Meredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, Emily Chang, and Brittany Gaddy
Last Updated: September 10, 2024, 7:55 PM EDT

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are meeting for the first time on Tuesday for the ABC News presidential debate.

It is the only debate the two have scheduled and comes at a critical point as polls show a neck-and-neck race with just eight weeks until Election Day.

The two will face off on key issues and work to appeal to voters across the country. The debate is airing on ABC and streaming on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing:
9 hours and 1 minute ago

Kristi Noem says Trump needs to hold Harris 'accountable'

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Trump should hold Harris' feet to the fire on policy, referencing policies this campaign on things like fracking and health care that differ from stances she took during her 2019 run.

"He needs to hold her accountable to what she truly believes and what she's done when she was given more power in a bigger position," Noem told ABC News.

South Dakota Gov. Krisit Noem speaks to reporters in the spin room before a presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Philadelphia.
Matt Rourke/AP

Noem added that accountability should be more focused on policy than personality, but added, "His personality always shines through, it just does, and she's going to have a tough time dealing with that."

-ABC News' Tal Axelrod

9 hours and 1 minute ago

Which issues do Americans trust Harris, Trump on?

We're obviously going to hear about a lot of different issues tonight — and some of those issues will be comfortable ground for Trump, while others will be Harris' home turf. The latest ABC News/Ipsos poll asked Americans whether they trusted Trump or Harris more to handle 11 different issues. Harris was trusted more on six, Trump was trusted more on four, and one (crime and safety) was tied.

Harris also had the biggest trust advantage on any issue: 16 points, on both abortion and race relations. However, Trump was trusted more than Harris on the three issues that Americans usually say are the most important to their vote: the economy, inflation and immigration.

—538's Nathaniel Rakich

9 hours and 9 minutes ago

Melania Trump not in attendance at debate

Members of the Trump family attending the debate with him tonight are his son Eric Trump and his son's wife -- and co-chair of the Republican National Committee -- Lara Trump, sources familiar with the matter tell ABC News. Melania Trump is not there.

On the plane with him from Florida to Philadelphia were Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who have been helping Trump with debate prep. Also on board -- one of his lawyers, Alina Habba, as well as senior staffers Chris LaCivita, Susie Wiles, Steven Cheung, Corey Lewandowski and Jason Miller.

Rep. Matt Gaetz and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard step off the plane after former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrived in Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 2024.
Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

Notably, controversial conservative media influencer Laura Loomer was also flying with Trump. Loomer has pushed multiple conspiracy theories about Harris, including racist and sexist attacks on the vice president.

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa and Katherine Faulders

9 hours and 23 minutes ago

Trump arrives in Philadelphia

Trump landed at Philadelphia International Airport a short while ago for the debate. He could be seen raising his fist as he departed his plane.

Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump steps off his plane upon arrival at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, on Sept. 10, 2024.
Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images