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

Trump closed out the debate with his closing statement calling out Harris' record in the last three and a half years.

"She's going to do all these wonderful things. Why hasn't she done it? She's been there for three and a half years," he said.

Trump continued attacks on Harris over Afghanistan, the migrant crisis and the economy.

"The worst president, the worst vice president in the history of our country," he said.

4:30

Trump ends debate slamming Harris' record

Trump closed out the debate with his closing statement calling out Harris' record in the last three and a half years.

ABCNews.com

Harris spent her closing statement seeking to draw a final contrast between her vision for the country and that of Trump.

She also sought to take a moment to introduce herself to viewers who may not be familiar with her policies and resume, highlighting her background as a prosecutor, California attorney general and U.S. senator.

"We're not going back," she said. "And I do believe that the American people know we all have so much more in common than what separates us, and we can chart a new way forward."

Fact Check: Needs context

The U.S. budget for clean energy investments (over $559 billion as of August 2023) is the largest in the world, according to the World Economic Forum. About a third of that investment is going toward low-carbon electricity projects, and about a quarter is aimed at developing low-carbon, efficient transportation, according to WEF. In the first quarter of 2024, the U.S. "continued its record-setting growth" with a new high of $71 billion invested in clean energy and transportation, according to Clean Investment Monitor.

At the same time, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported in March that the U.S. is now producing more crude oil than any country ever has -- and has been for the past six years in a row. In December 2023 the U.S. reached a new monthly record high of more than 13.3 million barrels per day, according to the EIA.

The Harris-Walz campaign told ABC News that the trillion-dollar amount cited by the vice president is based on the total spending of the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In a statement, they told us "Vice President Harris was proud to cast the tie-breaking vote on the largest ever investment to address the climate crisis and under the Biden-Harris Administration, America is more energy secure than ever before with the highest domestic energy production on record."

Even if you take the lowest estimate for federal spending under the IRA, 780-800 billion dollars, adding the funds allocated in the CHIPS and BIL laws does exceed the $1 trillion figures that Harris has cited in her campaign speeches. All three laws include provisions that address climate change.

3:05

Harris touts Biden Administrations clean energy investments

Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump were asked about fighting climate change.

ABCNews.com

The Harris campaign is feeling good about the debate so far and how Harris has put Trump on defense.

“VP Harris is in total command of the stage. She is presidential. She has Trump on the ropes, holding him accountable for his own actions -- notably how he got Roe v. Wade scrapped and the damage that's caused women across America. He hasn't been the same since that exchange,” Harris campaign spokesperson Ian Sams said on X.

The Harris campaign is also getting reaction from a focus group of undecided voters in battlegrounds in real time. These are dial groups that give a number to indicate how they’re feeling about each candidate as the debate goes on.

A campaign official shared that Harris' response on Jan. 6 -- saying it's time to "end the chaos," "turn the page" and return to stability -- was one of the strongest answers of the night among men.

The campaign official also shared that Harris' talking about abortion was a strong moment for her among undecided voters.

-ABC News' Selina Wang