Trump-Harris debate updates: Candidates go on attack in zinger-filled showdown

Harris and Trump sparred in the high-stakes showdown.

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 11, 2024, 9:50 PM EDT

Harris asked to address policy changes

Harris was asked about her policy position changes on issues such as fracking, key in Pennsylvania -- which she said during her last campaign for president she wanted to ban, but now won't.

Harris said that as vice president she has not banned fracking, and that her position is that we "have got to invest in diverse sources of energy."

Harris was asked to her policy position changes on issues like fracking, key in Pennsylvania -- which she said during her last campaign for president she wanted to ban but now won't.
2:34

Harris asked to address policy changes

Harris was asked to her policy position changes on issues like fracking, key in Pennsylvania -- which she said during her last campaign for president she wanted to ban but now won't.
ABCNews.com

"We have had the largest increase in domestic oil production in history because of an approach that recognizes that we cannot over rely on foreign oil," she said.

Sep 10, 2024, 9:51 PM EDT

CLAIM: Trump said 'they didn't fire anybody having to do with Afghanistan.'

Fact: True, but needs context.

It is accurate that no one with a direct role in the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021 has been held publicly accountable.

Trump appears to be specifically referring to a suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members.

U.S. Central Command ultimately concluded that the bombing was not preventable and that members of a Marine sniper team were mistaken when they told others they had the suicide bomber in their sights.

Trump, congressional Republicans and several Gold Star families say they believe these investigations have not gone far enough.

Sep 10, 2024, 9:48 PM EDT

Trump suggests Democrats are responsible for his assassination attempt

In his attack on Harris over his criminal investigations, Trump suggested, with no evidence, that she and the Department of Justice were weaponized against him.

"I probably took a bullet to the head because of the things that they say about me. They talk about democracy, I'm a threat to democracy. They’re the threat to democracy," he said.

Sep 10, 2024, 9:47 PM EDT

'Up to the American people to stop' Trump after immunity ruling: Harris

After Trump tried to claim the criminal cases against him were solely the result of weaponization of law enforcement, Harris turned to the Supreme Court's recent ruling on presidential immunity.

"What it would mean if Donald Trump were back in the White House, with no guard rails," she said. "Certainly, now we know the court won't stop him, we know JD Vance is not going to stop him. It's up to the American people to stop him."