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, 9:27 PM EDT

Trump labels Harris a Marxist, she laughs it off

Trump is already wading into personal attacks against Harris while answering specific questions about the economy, calling her and her father a Marxist.

“Everything that she believed three years ago and four years ago is out the window. She is going to my philosophy now. In fact, I was going to send her a MAGA hat.” He continued, “She is a Marxist. Everyone knows she is a Marxist. Her father is a Marxist professor in economics. He taught her well.”

Harris could be seen laughing as he delivered the remark.

Sep 10, 2024, 9:25 PM EDT

CLAIM: Trump wants '20% tax on everyday goods' that would cost families 'about $4000 more a year'

Fact Check: True, but needs context

Trump has proposed a universal "10-20%" tariff on all U.S. imports, from cars and electronics to wine, food products and many other goods. He has also proposed a 60% tariff on imports from China. Vice President Harris called the plan "Trump’s sales tax," though the former president has not explicitly proposed such a tax. Independent economists, however, say the proposed import tariffs would unquestionably result in higher prices for American consumers across the board (Tax Foundation, American Action Forum, Tax Policy Center, Center for American Progress, Peterson Institute)>.

Donald Trump is asked about his proposal for tariff's on foreign imports across the board.
4:26

Trump discusses tariff proposal

Donald Trump is asked about his proposal for tariff's on foreign imports across the board.
ABCNews.com

The precise financial impact on families is hard to predict and estimates vary widely – from additional annual costs per household of $1,700 to nearly $4,000, depending on the study.

Trump has not called for any tax hikes for American families. He has proposed exempting Social Security benefits and tips from taxation, as well as extending individual tax cuts enacted in 2017.

Sep 10, 2024, 9:22 PM EDT

The Supreme Court is not popular

Trump just praised the Supreme Court. That's not going to be a popular position. According to 538's average, only 37% of Americans approve of the Supreme Court; 54% disapprove.

—538's Nathaniel Rakich

Sep 10, 2024, 9:22 PM EDT

No, 80-90% of Americans don't think the economy was better under Trump

Trump claimed that 80, 85, or even 90% of Americans say the economy was better under his watch. But that's not true. While people feel warmly about the economy under Trump, the share isn't nearly that high. According to a YouGov/CBS News poll from March, 65% of Americans thought the economy was good under Trump, while 28% thought it was bad.

—538's Nathaniel Rakich