In a dramatic debate that captivated viewers, President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris clashed in their first encounter on Tuesday night.
The intense exchange sparked widespread discussion among political analysts and social media users about its impact on the upcoming election, with notable figures such as Elon Musk joining the debate on who emerged victorious.
Musk, a recent outspoken supporter of Trump over Harris, criticized the debate moderators on X, provoking backlash from many who watched the event live.
He did, however, concede that Harris performed significantly better than anticipated.
While I don’t think the debate hosts were fair to @realDonaldTrump, @KamalaHarris exceeded most people’s expectations tonight.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 11, 2024
That said, when it comes to getting things done, not just saying nice-sounding words, I strongly believe that Trump will do a far better job.
After…
“While I don’t think the debate hosts were fair to [Trump], [Harris] exceeded most people’s expectations tonight,” the tech mogul said following the debate.
“That said,” he added, “when it comes to getting things done, not just saying nice-sounding words, I strongly believe that Trump will do a far better job.”
“If Kamala can do great things, why hasn’t she? Biden rarely shows up for work, so she’s basically in charge already,” Musk continued, reiterating Trump’s closing statement in the ABC debate.
“The question comes down to this: do you want current trends to continue for 4 more years or do you want change?”
ABC has let Harris get away with the Charlottesville hoax, bloodbath hoax, police officers dying on J6 hoax, etc
— Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) September 11, 2024
But they fact check Trump on animals in Ohio… when he was correct
The eagerly awaited debate swiftly became contentious as Harris tried to unsettle Trump by mentioning the size of his rallies and his ongoing legal issues.
Trump, undeterred, countered with claims about Harris’s immigration policies, alleging that millions of illegal migrants were entering the country under her oversight.
Throughout the exchange, Harris kept a largely composed demeanor, frequently shaking her head and smiling in reaction to Trump’s comments.
At one point, she was observed mouthing “that’s not true” when Trump accused her of being a “Marxist.”
Kamala Harris did not deny being a marxist.
— Phil Labonte (@philthatremains) September 11, 2024
Trump correctly calls Harris a Marxist.
— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) September 11, 2024
Then she makes the classic tell.
Resting head on hand.
That’s a confession if you know body language. pic.twitter.com/xd9agRs94X
In contrast, Trump seemed visibly frustrated, frequently interrupting Harris during her remarks.
The debate took an unexpected twist when Trump made a claim regarding illegal migrants in Ohio.
“They’re eating the pets of the people that live there,” he stated, adding, “If she becomes president… we’ll end up being Venezuela on steroids.”
Harris responded with a laugh, dismissing the comment as “extreme.”
NOW – Trump, on mass immigration: "They're eating the dogs, the people that came in, they're eating the cats, they're eating the pets of the people that live there! And this is what's happening in our country." pic.twitter.com/0Ta8D9wcHT
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) September 11, 2024
Critics swiftly highlighted what they saw as bias from the ABC News moderators, noting that while Trump’s statements were fact-checked, Harris’s claims went unchallenged.
This perceived imbalance was evident to conservative viewers.
Political experts provided mixed evaluations of the debate’s result.
BREAKING: Megyn Kelly just went on an intense rant calling out the disgusting ABC hosts for working with Kamala Harris to sink Trump and STEAL THE ELECTION
— George (@BehizyTweets) September 11, 2024
"I'm ashamed of those moderators at ABC News. They did exactly what their bosses wanted them to do. The person who runs ABC… pic.twitter.com/Xsq2Mm9Huo
David Litt, former chief speechwriter for President Obama, declared the debate a win for Democrats in a statement to the Daily Mail, praising Harris’s composure and policy vision. He observed that Trump repeatedly “took the bait,” resulting in “rambling, whining answers.”
Conversely, Josh Bronitsky, former chief speechwriter for Trump’s Attorney General Bill Barr, offered a different perspective. While he conceded that Harris performed better than anticipated, he also emphasized Trump’s “standout” moments and “cracker-barrel wit” to the Daily Mail, asserting that the former president ultimately came out ahead.
Democratic strategist Joel Payne was clear in his assessment, describing it as a “straight up butt kicking” for Harris, and underscoring the importance of her performance in clarifying her vision and introducing herself to the public.
However, conservative commentators offered a contrasting view.
Less than 2 months ago someone tried to ass*ss*nate Trump.
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 11, 2024
The moderators didn’t bring this up even once tonight.
It’s intentional. pic.twitter.com/bz9vRUfrL6
Alfredo Ortiz of the Job Creators Network criticized Harris for relying on “cliched talking points” and for avoiding scrutiny of her “failed liberal record.”
Jessica Anderson, president of the Sentinel Action Fund, echoed this criticism, accusing Harris of trying to “rewrite history” regarding her support for radical policies.
As early voting gets underway, the debate’s effect on voters’ perceptions is yet to be determined.
With both candidates making bold claims and exchanging jabs, the American public must sift through the rhetoric to determine which vision for the country’s future resonates with them.
