Harris attacks Trump’s record and leadership style

In their second presidential debate, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris clashed at The National Constitution Center on Tuesday night. The debate, which lasted nearly two hours, saw Harris strategically bait Trump with comments aimed at provoking strong reactions.

Harris, well-prepared for the debate, criticized Trump on various fronts, including his handling of international relations and his record on immigration. She described him as a “disgrace” to world leaders and noted that Trump had been rejected by 81 million voters in 2020. Trump frequently responded with heated and often unfounded claims, including repeating falsehoods about election fraud and debunked conspiracy theories about immigrants.

Trump's debate performance was marked by numerous controversial statements. He continued to promote the debunked theory that migrants were eating pets and claimed that crime rates in the U.S. were rising, despite contrary evidence from the FBI. On abortion, Trump defended his stance on overturning Roe v. Wade, while Harris highlighted the consequences of restrictive abortion laws and criticized Trump’s past comments on reproductive rights.

The debate also featured sharp exchanges on foreign policy. Harris criticized Trump’s approach to the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, while Trump accused her of being biased against Israel and failing to handle global challenges effectively.

In the end, the debate showcased Harris’s attempt to frame herself as a defender of middle-class Americans against Trump’s self-serving policies. Trump's tendency to divert from substantive policy discussions in favor of personal attacks and unverified claims may have overshadowed his debate performance.

The debate's significance is underscored by Harris’s strategic positioning and Trump’s controversial responses, setting the stage for a contentious election season.

[Information sourced from AP, CNN]