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, 10:38 PM EDT

CLAIM: Trump exchanged love letters with Kim Jong Un

Fact Check: False

Trump did exchange letters with Kim Jong Un in August 2018 after the two leaders held a summit together in Singapore in June 2018. Trump tweeted thanking the North Korean leader “for your nice letter – I look forward to seeing you soon.” The White House at the time said Trump sent a reply to the North Korean leader, but the White House did not provide details about what was in Kim Jong Un’s letter or what was in Trump’s reply.

In August 2019, Trump said he received a “very beautiful letter” from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when speaking to reporters.

In September 2018, Trump told a crowd at a campaign rally that there was once tough talk between the two leaders, “and then we fell in love.”

"And then we fell in love, okay? No, really - he wrote me beautiful letters, and they're great letters," Trump said at the rally. Trump did often speak favorably of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during and after his presidency.

Sep 10, 2024, 10:37 PM EDT

Trump asked to address his comments on Harris' race

Trump said he "doesn't care" about Harris' racial identity, despite his previous repeated comments about her race, including that she "happened to turn Black."

"I don't care what she is. I don't care," he said. "Whatever she wants to be is OK with me."

Asked for her thoughts, Harris said it's a "tragedy" that Trump has attempted to use race over his career to divide the country -- citing the case of the Central Park Five.

"I think the American people want better than that, want better than this," she said.

Trump said he "doesn't care" about Harris' racial identity, despite his previous repeated comments about her race, including that she "happened to turn Black."
2:54

Trump asked to address his comments on Harris' race

Trump said he "doesn't care" about Harris' racial identity, despite his previous repeated comments about her race, including that she "happened to turn Black."
ABCNews.com

Sep 10, 2024, 10:36 PM EDT

Trump doesn't give details on health care reform

Trump has claimed ever since he first ran for president in 2015 that he would come up with a better health care plan than Obamacare.

However, when asked if he had come up with any new details for reform, Trump said he had "concepts of a plan."

"But if we come up with something, I would only change it if we come up with something that's better and less expensive and there are concepts and options we have to do that, and you'll be hearing about it in the not too distance future."

Both candidates were asked about their plans for reforming healthcare if they took office.
5:26

Trump and Harris asked about the Affordable Care Act

Both candidates were asked about their plans for reforming healthcare if they took office.
ABCNews.com

Sep 10, 2024, 10:35 PM EDT

CLAIM: 'Trump took out a full page ad calling for their execution'

Fact-check: True

Not long after the Central Park Five were arrested, Trump placed full-page ads in New York newspapers urging New York to bring back the death penalty. "These muggers and murderers" should be "forced to suffer and, when they kill, they should be executed for their crimes," said the ad, above Trump’s signature.

-PolitiFact’s Aaron Sharockman