Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump ripped Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris during their first debate Tuesday evening on ABC News as he hit major issues concerning voters, such as the economy, inflation, and immigration.
The first debate between the two political figures was moderated by ABC News’ David Muir and Linsey Davis, kicking off Harris’ first in person interaction with Trump since the vice president became the Democratic presidential nominee after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid on July 21.
In the first question prompted by Muir, Trump and Harris were asked about the state of the U.S. economy, as voters have consistently polled the issue to be a top concern of theirs when voting this November. Harris touted her plans of creating an “opportunity economy,” by calling out her proposals she began to unveil in mid-August which touched on child tax credits and housing deductions.
Harris attempted to call out Trump for leaving the U.S. with “the worst unemployment since the Great Depression,” “the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War,” and “the worst public health epidemic in a century,” stating the Biden administration had to “clean up Donald Trump’s mess.”
However, Trump called out polls agreeing that voters trust the 45th president more than Harris when it comes to who they believe can handle the economy best. The 45th president additionally snapped back at Harris calling out how the Biden administration has taken “billions” from China, noting how his economic plan regarding tariffs will help Americans.
“We’ve had a terrible economy because inflation has – which is really known as a country buster, it breaks up countries – we have inflation like very few people have ever seen before. Probably the worst in our nation’s history,” Trump said. “I created one of the greatest economies in the history of our country. I’ll do it again and ever better.”
Trump additionally pointed out that high grocery store prices are hitting Americans and told viewers that people can’t afford everyday necessities such as “cereal” or “bacon.”
“People can’t go out and buy cereal or bacon or eggs or anything else. The people of our country are absolutely dying with what they’ve done. They’ve destroyed the economy,” Trump said.
Critics have additionally called out Harris’ proposal to place a federal ban on “corporate price gouging,” with political pundits on both sides of the aisle warning the idea could not only drive up prices further, but could potentially create black markets.
Moderators then hit on immigration policies, which has become another top concern for voters when going to the polls. As Harris has notably been called out over the last few year in her handling and responsibility on the border, Trump called out Harris’ role in Biden administration’s failed southern border policies.
“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs,” Trump said. The 45th president called out a recent report claiming Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, have been killing and eating local cats, dogs and other animals. On Tuesday, The Federalist revealed a local police call in which a resident had called in about concerns that an immigrant had been carrying geese.
