Harris and Trump initiate their contest with a cordial handclasp.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, both vying for the U.S. presidency, had their initial and presumably final face-off in a televised debate in Philadelphia on November 5th. The event commenced amicably, with Harris extending a handshake and introducing herself to Trump. However, the friendly vibes soon dissipated, leading to a dirty exchange of words.
The discussion began with an economic question, focusing on whether Americans are better off now than they were four years ago. Harris stressed the significance of the middle class in her answer. In contrast, Trump pointed the finger at President Joe Biden, blaming him for the high inflation rates. Both candidates didn't hesitate to blame each other for lacking economic policies.
In their June debate, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, the then Democratic presidential candidate, didn't start off on a cordial note, withholding the traditional handshake. Biden's performance during the debate was so poor that Trump was forced to withdraw from the race, leading to Harris taking over as vice president.
The rules governing this televised debate are clearly defined. When one candidate is talking, the other's microphone is muted. Each candidate is granted two minutes to respond, with an additional two minutes allotted for rebuttal. The debate takes place behind podiums, with only basic accessories such as a pen, notepad, and water bottle provided. There's no live audience in the Philadelphia venue.
Before the debate even began, Trump had set the tone through his social media platform, Truth Social. He urged House Republicans to shut down the government if they didn't get their way regarding border security.
In the heated exchanges during the debate, Harris and Trump both hinted at their intentions for the US presidential election of 2024, highlighting their contrasting economic policies and positions towards various issues. After the debate, the polls showed a significant increase in support for Kamala Harris, indicating potential momentum for her potential 2024 campaign.
