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.

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Sep 11, 2024, 12:43 AM EDT
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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, 8:09 PM EDT

Gavin Newsom tears into Trump, calls him 'boring'

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a top Trump antagonist, tore into the former president as unable to resist personal attacks and "boring" on the trail.

"He doesn't know any other way. He's incapable of not doing that," Newsom said when asked if Trump would attack Harris' personality. "This is a guy who's just weakness masquerading as strength."

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) speaks to reporters in the spin room following the Presidential Debate between President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images, FILE

Newsom said he expects Harris to "rise above" the attacks but to also "counterpunch."

"She's new, she's the next generation. He's old, he's stale, he's derivative, he's, dare I say it, boring," Newsom added.

-ABC News' Tal Axelrod

Sep 10, 2024, 8:05 PM EDT

Vivek Ramaswamy says success for Trump is a focus on policy

Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate and vocal Trump supporter, said the former president would win a debate centered around policy.

"I think a win looks like a policy-focused debate," he said.

"If we have a policy-focused debate, Donald Trump hits it out of the park."

-ABC News' Tal Axelrod

Sep 10, 2024, 8:00 PM EDT

ABC News' pre-debate special 'Race for the White House' begins

"Race for the White House," ABC News' prime-time pre-debate special, premiered at 8 p.m. ET.

The special is anchored by chief global affairs correspondent and "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz, chief Washington correspondent and "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl, chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce and senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott.

You can watch live on ABC, ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu.

Sep 10, 2024, 7:44 PM EDT