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, 7:44 PM EDT

Pennsylvania a critical battleground this election

Tonight's debate is being held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania has emerged as a central battleground once again after sealing President Biden's victory over Trump in 2020.

PHOTO: People are seen outside the National Constitution Center, the site of tonight's presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Sept. 10, 2024, in Philadelphia.
People are seen walking on the lawn of the National Constitution Center, the site of tonight's presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Sept. 10, 2024, in Philadelphia.
Matt Slocum/AP

Right now, Harris and Trump are separated by less than 1 percentage point in 538's polling average of the Keystone State.

Of the seven or so states believed to be in play this cycle, Pennsylvania holds the most electoral votes at 19.

Sep 10, 2024, 7:39 PM EDT

Will the tables turn on Trump's age and mental fitness?

In the most recent ABC News/Ipsos poll, Harris had an advantage over Trump when it came to who Americans think has better "physical health" and "mental sharpness" to serve effectively as president.

Trump has recently gotten attention for his rambling and often-incoherent speaking style, and while that's nothing new for him, this will be his first time directly facing a new opponent, who's nearly 20 years younger than him. Whether or not Trump's age or mental acuity come up explicitly in tonight's debate, how he handles himself — and how viewers respond afterward — could help him put some of those concerns to rest, or exacerbate them and give Harris an opening.

—538's Tia Yang

Sep 10, 2024, 7:25 PM EDT

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

Sep 10, 2024, 7:21 PM EDT

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