As the U.S. Presidential Election approaches in November, the first televised debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump has sparked widespread attention. On September 10, over 67 million viewers tuned in to watch the debate broadcasted by ABC News.
Following the debate, both candidates returned to their campaigns, focusing on battleground states. While some polls indicate that Harris performed better, Trump declared victory, dismissing any need for further debates.
Trump’s Remarks
Trump, the Republican candidate, posted on social media that he won the debate against Harris and claimed there will be no third debate. He previously debated Joe Biden, who was the Democratic presidential candidate before stepping down due to poor debate performance, according to analysts. With Harris now leading the Democratic campaign, Trump faced her in a single debate and stated, “According to the polls, I won against Comrade Kamala Harris.”
Trump’s refusal to engage in further debates followed Democratic calls for another round. He responded by suggesting that “the first thing a losing person says is, ‘I want to fight again.'” He is currently focusing his campaign efforts in Arizona, a key swing state, where he has promised tax cuts and the elimination of taxes on overtime pay if he wins the election.
Harris’s Position
At a rally in North Carolina, Harris expressed her belief in the importance of another debate, saying, “We owe voters another debate.” North Carolina is also a crucial swing state, where both candidates are vying for victory.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, 53% of people believe that Harris won the debate, while 24% think Trump was the winner.