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 11, 2024, 12:39 AM EDT

Key takeaways from the Harris-Trump debate

Harris put Trump on the defensive early on, claiming viewers were "going to hear from the same old, tired playbook, a bunch of lies, grievances and name-calling." She later took digs at his rallies and was the first to bring up his multiple indictments.

Meanwhile, Trump tried to tie Harris to President Joe Biden as often as he could. "She is Biden," he said as he criticized their economic record.

Harris' gender was not broached during the debate, though her race was. Trump doubled down on false claims about her racial identity, though he said he "couldn't care less."

Read more about the debate highlights here.

Sep 11, 2024, 12:12 AM EDT

Best zingers from the Harris-Trump ABC News debate

During the Harris-Trump face-off, both candidates tried to score points by slinging barbs at each other.

Here are some of their sharp jabs:

Trump: “Wait a minute, I'm talking now, if you don't mind, please. Does that sound familiar?”

Harris: “Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people.”

Harris: “He talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter.”

Read more zingers here.

Sep 11, 2024, 12:09 AM EDT

Harris proposes 2nd debate, Trump doesn't immediately commit

Harris' campaign sent out an email less than an hour after the ABC News debate ended and threw down the gauntlet for another matchup.

"Under the bright lights, the American people got to see the choice they will face this fall at the ballot box: between moving forward with Kamala Harris, or going backwards with Trump. That's what they saw tonight and what they should see at a second debate in October. Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?" the email read.

When asked about the Harris campaign's call by ABC News' Katherine Faulders, Trump said his opponent called for a second debate "because she lost tonight, very badly."

"They immediately called for a second because they lost," Trump said, refusing to commit whether he'd participate. "So, we'll, you know, think about that. But she immediately called for a second," Trump said.

Sep 11, 2024, 12:07 AM EDT

Harris tells watch party: 'We are still the underdogs in this race'

During brief remarks at a campaign watch party, Harris said today was "a good day" but told the crowd that "we've got some work to do."

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a watch party at Cherry Street Pier after the presidential debate in Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 2024.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP

"We have 56 days to go and, guys, we are still the underdogs in this race -- it's tight," she said. "We have got to win Pennsylvania, and we are going to win Pennsylvania."

Harris was introduced by her husband, Doug Emhoff, who said the vice president "showed everyone, especially Donald Trump, what a real leader is."

-ABC News' Laura Romero