During the first debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, the two quickly went after each other. Harris frequently tried to bait Trump into responding. Many claim that Harris was trying to get a reaction out of Trump, which is why she provoked him so often. She criticized several aspects of Trump’s record, including his handling of immigration, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and the fact that he is a convicted criminal. CNN reported that Trump grew irritated throughout the debate, at times referencing debunked conspiracy theories—one of which was the bizarre claim that immigrants were eating people's pets in Springfield, Ohio. He also attempted to argue that the 2020 election was stolen after Harris pointed out that he lost to 81 million voters. 

Harris aimed to provoke reactions from Trump, while Trump focused on defending his actions, all while criticizing the current administration. Throughout the debate, Trump demonstrated an inability to move past personal grievances and conspiracy theories. Harris remained composed, but frequently laughed at Trump’s statements, which some viewed as disrespectful. Harris was also criticized by the media for dodging questions about rising inflation, providing vague responses rather than concrete solutions. She made sure to highlight Trump’s weaknesses and his admiration for authoritarian figures. 

By the end of the debate, it was evident that Harris’s strategy was to keep Trump off balance and make herself appear more composed and poised. Overall, the debate addressed key issues such as immigration, crime, and abortion. In the end, it’s important to consider the qualities and truthfulness of the candidates and their political claims. Many sources that covered the debate showed clear bias, so it’s essential to step back and assess the credibility of any statements regarding the debate.