US Presidential Debate: Foreign Media Gives Edge To Kamala Harris After Face-Off With Donald Trump

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced each other on the debate stage Tuesday night for the first — and possibly the last — time.

The Democratic vice president opened the faceoff with a power move, marching across the stage to Trump’s lectern to shake his hand.

“Kamala Harris,” she said, introducing herself as the pair met for the first time ever. “Let’s have a good debate.”

“Nice to see you. Have fun,” the former Republican president responded.

The exchange set the tone for the 90-minute debate to come: Harris controlled the conversation at times, baiting Trump with jabs at his economic policy, his refusal to concede his 2020 election loss and even his performance at his rallies.

Trump, while measured early on, grew more annoyed as the night went on. And one significant moment played out after the two candidates left the stage, when megastar Taylor Swift said she'll vote for Harris.

Harris’ performance by nearly every measure seemed to be the opposite of President  Joe Biden ’s in June, with sharp, focused answers designed to showcase the contrast between her and Trump, whereas Biden at times was muddled, halting and incoherent. Harris used her body language and facial expressions to confront Trump and express that she found his answers ridiculous, amusing or both — a pronounced change from Biden's slack-jawed expression when Trump attacked him.

Harris appeared intent on casting herself as a relief for voters seeking a break from Trump’s acerbic politics — a contrast highlighted as Trump appeared to be set on his back foot by her needling.

US commentators said Harris had done better in the debate.

Fox News, often considered partial towards Trump, said in its headline to an opinion piece, “In the Trump-Harris face-off there was a clear winner but don’t believe this election is over.” On economy, the former president countered Harris. “Everybody knows what I'm going to do, cut taxes very substantially and create a great economy like I did before. We had the greatest economy. We got hit with a pandemic. We did a phenomenal job with the pandemic.” Trump called Harris a Marxist who is now adopting his philosophy.

"Harris won the debate. Her performance and ideas are better. But many of those ideas, shared by both parties, need rethinking," said Moustafa Bayoumi - a Guardian US columnist