TOP TAKE AWAYS FROM THE USA PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE BETWEEN KAMALA HARRIS AND DONALD TRUMP

Here are the top take aways from the clash between both parties

The second 2024 presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, held on September 10, 2024, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, was a contentious clash between the two candidates, showcasing their differing visions for the U.S. Here are the main takeaways:

### 1. **Economy and Inflation**

Trump launched strong attacks on the Biden-Harris administration, claiming the U.S. had suffered from the "worst inflation ever" under their leadership. However, fact-checkers pointed out that the highest inflation during Biden's presidency was 9% in 2022, not the worst in U.S. history. Inflation had decreased to around 2.9% by mid-2024, a point Harris highlighted as evidence of the administration’s economic recovery efforts. Harris also emphasized job growth and investments in infrastructure to counter Trump’s criticisms. You can read more about the fact-checking of their economic claims [here](17).

### 2. **Election Integrity**

Trump again repeated his debunked claims about the 2020 election, asserting that courts never examined his evidence of fraud. In reality, numerous lawsuits had been dismissed by courts, often citing insufficient proof. Harris firmly defended the integrity of the 2020 election and focused on protecting voting rights for future elections. For more details on the fact-checking of Trump’s election claims, check [PolitiFact's coverage](17).

### 3. **Foreign Policy**

A significant moment came when Harris criticized Trump for inviting the Taliban to Camp David in 2019, questioning the wisdom of negotiating with the group at a U.S. landmark. Trump defended the decision, claiming it was part of his broader strategy to end "endless wars" and bring American troops home. Harris emphasized that diplomacy should be handled carefully to avoid damaging U.S. credibility on the global stage. For a deeper dive into their foreign policy positions, read [AS USA's debate breakdown](16).

### 4. **Healthcare**

Trump made the false claim that he "saved" the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but in reality, his administration worked to dismantle key aspects of it, cutting funding and promoting alternative, less-comprehensive health plans. Harris took the opportunity to champion the Biden administration’s efforts to expand healthcare access through the ACA, making it a central part of her platform. More on this healthcare discussion can be found [here](17).

### 5. **Criminal Justice and Immigration**

The debate also touched on issues of criminal justice reform and immigration. Trump accused Harris of supporting the "defund the police" movement, a claim fact-checkers rated as mostly false. Harris had previously advocated for reimagining public safety, not eliminating police departments. On immigration, Trump’s remarks about immigrants were highly controversial, while Harris defended her administration’s policies aimed at balancing security with humane treatment. You can explore the fact-checks of these claims in more detail [via PolitiFact](17).

### Debate Performance and Polls

Post-debate analysis suggests that Harris had a stronger performance, particularly in terms of delivering fact-based responses and maintaining composure. Early polls and expert reviews, including those from [Newsweek](16), indicated that Harris had a slight edge, although both candidates played to their respective bases.

This debate set the tone for what promises to be a fierce and polarized campaign season leading up to the 2024 election. You can follow more insights on their performance [here](16).