Who won the presidential debate? Key takeaways from Trump vs Harris

A clear winner has emerged from the Trump versus Harris debate

Ramblings about Vladimir Putin. Blatant falsehoods about immigrants in the US eating pets. Consistent interruption.

This was Donald Trump’s performance at last night’s presidential debate against Kamala Harris.

For an hour and 45 minutes, the pair sparred over abortion access, the bloodshed in Gaza and Ukraine, and immigration.

With eight weeks left until the 2024 US presidential election – and just days until early voting starts in some states – the two candidates are attempting to win over the nation.

So, who had the better night? What are the main takeaways? Metro.co.uk has the latest.

Trump vs Harris: Who won the debate?

Trump’s ‘They are eating the dogs!’ line may have been the moment in which his opponent won the debate without having to say another word.

A former prosecutor, Harris, controlled the debate from the start, getting under her rival’s skin repeatedly. It was a masterclass of ‘Triggering Trump’ in action.

Trump was visibly rattled as he was skillfully goaded to deliver a number of false retorts.

At one point, Harris mocked him for people often leaving his campaign rallies early ‘out of exhaustion and boredom.’

Trump, who has been frustrated by the size of her own crowds, said: ‘My rallies, we have the biggest rallies, the most incredible rallies in the history of politics.’

He then pivoted to a false claim about immigrants eating pets in Springfield, in Ohio, that was amplified by his vice presidential candidate, Senator JD Vance.

‘The people that came in, they are eating the cats! They are eating the pets of the people that live there,’ he shouted as Harris laughed in disbelief.

‘Make no mistake about it, Trump had a bad night,’ Brit Hume said on Fox News.

Even Republicans concluded that Harris had succeeded in provoking Trump into veering off message.

Online prediction market PredictIt’s 2024 presidential general election market showed Trump’s likelihood of victory declining during the debate, to 47% from 52%. 

Meanwhile, Harris’ odds improved to 55% from 53%.

British political advisor Pablo O’Hara, who is working with the Democrats in New York said: ‘September 10, 2024, will go down in history as the night Kamala Harris won the Presidential election.

‘She eviscerated Trump and ran rings around him. That, in addition with securing the most valuable celebrity endorsement in the globe, in Taylor Swift, meaning that Harris is on course for certain victory. 

‘It is now looking an incredibly sorry state of affairs for the Republicans. VP Harris showed she was far too smart for Trump.’ 

What are the key takeaways?

On Russia’s war in Ukraine:

One of the most heated policy discussions came when the two candidates clashed over how they would handle Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Their responses revealed the degree to which their views on America’s role in the world fundamentally differ. 

Trump refused to say he wanted Ukraine to win the war, even as ABC moderator David Muir pushed him on the point, saying only that he wanted to wrap up the conflict as soon as possible. 

Harris shot back, arguing that what Trump really wanted was Ukraine’s quick and unconditional capitulation.

‘If Donald Trump were president, Vladimir Putin would be sitting in Kyiv right now,’ she said.

On Israel’s war on Gaza:

The candidates also exchanged barbs over the Israel-Gaza war, though neither offered specifics on how they would seek to end the conflict.

On immigration:

Both clashed over immigration, alongside foreign policy and healthcare, but the debate was light on specific policy details.

When could the next presidential debate be?

Harris – unsurprisingly – wants another round with the Republican candidate in the coming weeks before the November election.

It is understood that her team requested another debate even before the pair took to the stage.

If Trump agrees, a second round would come in addition to an October 1 debate between both major-party vice-presidential nominees.

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