Presidential debate replay: Harris puts Trump on defensive over Jan. 6, race relations, abortion
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris met for the first time on Tuesday ? facing off in a heated showdown on the 2024 debate stage.
The Democratic and Republican nominees laid out their visions for the country, discussing issues ranging from inflation and the economy to abortion rights and the southern border. They walked through their proposals ? and criticized their opponent ? all while trying to win over pivotal swing voters who could ultimately decide the election.
While Trump and Harris went back and forth on the issues, they also took personal jabs. Harris zeroed in on the crowd sizes at Trump's rallies, and the former president joked that he was going to send the vice president one of his well-known red hats based on her current stances.
Catch up with the USA TODAY Network's live coverage of the Trump-Harris debate.
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Odds of Harris or Trump winning? See how election odds shifted during Tuesday's debate
Who won the debate? Harris' aggressive performance rattles a defensive Trump.
Donald Trump knocked Joe Biden out of the 2024 presidential race in the last debate, but the Republican found himself repeatedly knocked on his heels Tuesday night when squaring off against his new opponent: Kamala Harris.
Trump was on the defensive over his legal problems, election denialism, opposition from former allies and incitement of an attack on the U.S. Capitol. Even his beloved rallies become debate fodder, with Harris mocking them as full of odd digressions and so boring his supporters often leave early.
Harris came in trying to rattle and bait Trump, and often succeeded, leading to defensive, angry and rambling responses as the vice president had the upper hand throughout much of the contest. Trump repeatedly turned to immigration, his signature issue, but struggled to sustain a consistent line of attack and often leaned on familiar and false claims that drew corrections from the moderators.
? Zac Anderson
Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president: 'She is a steady-handed, gifted leader'
Taylor Swift is endorsing Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election, the pop star revealed Tuesday night following the presidential debate between Harris and former President Donald Trump.
In an Instagram post shared following the debate, Swift wrote in a caption of a photo of her with her cat that she "will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz."
"Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to do your research on the issues at hand and the stances these candidates take on the topics that matter to you the most. As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country," Swift wrote.
? Anika Reed and Bryan West
Trump's closing statement: 'Why hasn't she done it?'
Trump, who got to go last because he won a coin flip before the debate, used his closing statement to attack Harris for not already accomplishing her goals during the three-and-a-half years of the Biden-Harris administration.
"Why hasn't she done it?" Trump said at one point.
He continued in a negative vein, saying the U.S. is "a failing nation" that is in "decline" because of Biden and Harris.He didn't delve deeply into his own policy proposals.
?David Jackson
Will there be a second Trump-Harris debate? Harris campaign calls for second showdown
It's not clear whether Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will debate again, but the vice president's campaign called for a second debate against Trump moments after Tuesday's showdown ended.
“Under the bright lights, the American people got to see the choice they will face this fall at the ballot box: between moving forward with Kamala Harris, or going backwards with Trump. That’s what they saw tonight and what they should see at a second debate in October. Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?” Harris-Walz Campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon said in a statement.
? Rebecca Morin and Marina Pitofsky
Harris’ closing message: I’ll be a president for all Americans
Harris’ final message to viewers of the debate: we can chart “a new way forward” for the country together. In her closing remarks, Harris argued that she is focused on the future, and Trump is focused on the past.
Her vision for the country includes an economy that helps families, small businesses, seniors and working-class Americans, Harris said. Harris added that she would protect Americans' rights and freedoms and be a president for everyone, regardless of their political affiliation.
“And that’s the kind of president we need right now. Someone who cares about you and is not putting themselves first,” Harris said.
– Francesca Chambers
Harris to Trump: 'Clearly, I’m not Joe Biden'
Trump sought to drag down Harris by arguing that she and President Joe Biden are one in the same.
“She is Biden,” he said. “She’s trying to get away from Biden. I don’t know the gentleman, she says.”
Harris has never claimed that she does not know Biden. But she stressed in a rebuttal that they have different approaches. “Clearly I am not Joe Biden. And I am certainly not Donald Trump.
“And what I do offer is a new generation of leadership for our country, one who believes in what is possible, one who brings a sense of optimism about what we can do, instead of always disparaging the American people,” she said, turning to Trump.
– Francesca Chambers
Trump pressed on his comments about Harris' biracial identity
When questioned about why he thought it was appropriate to question Harris' biracial identity, Trump said he doesn't care.
"I don't care. You make a big deal out of something, I couldn't care less. Whatever she wants to be is okay with me."
The former president's July appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists' convention sparked backlash after he accused Harris of becoming Black after he claimed she had only identified as Indian-American up until recently. Harris' father is Black and her mother was Indian-American.
"I mean all I can say is, I read when she was not Black, that she put out, and, I'll say that, and then I read that she was Black, and that's okay, either one was okay with me," he said. "That's up to her, that's up to her." In response, Harris called Trump's comments a "tragedy."
? Sam Woodward
Kamala Harris says she's a gun owner
After Donald Trump criticized Kamala Harris' stance on gun control, she noted that she and her running mate, Tim Walz, are both gun owners.
? Marina Pitofsky
Trump and Harris argue about Afghanistan withdrawal
Trump sought to tag Harris with the botched 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, during which 13 American service members were killed in a bombing.
"They never fired one person," Trump said, calling it "the most embarrassing moment" in the nation's history.
Harris wasn't having it, saying the problems with the withdrawal resulted from a weak deal with the Taliban negotiated by President Donald Trump.
?David Jackson
Trump says Harris 'hates Israel'; VP says it’s 'not true'
Harris said the war between Israel and Hamas “must end immediately” with a cease-fire deal and hostage release. She recommitted to giving Israel the ability to defend itself – especially from Iran – but she said there must be a solution that establishes an independent Palestinian state.
Trump insisted that if he were president, Hamas would not have launched a vicious attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
“She hates Israel,” Trump charged.
He knocked Harris for skipping Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress over the summer to deliver a speech to a historically Black sorority. He repeated a claim
“At the same time, in her own way, she hates the Arab population,” he added, “because the whole place is going to get blown up. Arabs, Jewish people, Israel, Israel will be gone.” Harris said “that’s absolutely not true” and that Trump is “trying to divide and distract” from his “weak and wrong” on national security and foreign policy.
“It is well known that he admires dictators, wants to be a dictator on day one,” she said, hammering Trump for a comment he made about Russian President Vladimir Putin doing “whatever the hell” he wants in Ukraine.
Trump fired back that Putin wants Harris to win the election.
? Francesca Chambers
Harris to disaffected Republicans: There's a place for you in our campaign
Harris leaned into her background as a prosecutor to establish a pattern of behavior from Trump that she hopes will win over disaffected Republicans.
January 6 was “not an isolated” incident, she said. His statement that there were “very fine people” on both sides of a clash with white supremacists in Charlottesville and a directive to the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by,” preceded the Capitol riot.
“If that was a bridge too far for you, well there is a place in our campaign for you, to stand for country, to stand for our democracy, to stand for rule of law, and to end the chaos and to end the approach that is about attacking the foundations of our democracy, because you don’t like the outcome,” Harris said.
– Francesca Chambers
Harris says ‘world leaders are laughing’ at Trump; Trump references Viktor Orbán
Following Trump’s false claim that the 2020 election was corrupt, Harris said leaders across the world are “laughing” at the former president.
“I'm going to tell you that I have traveled the world as vice president of the United States and world leaders are laughing at Donald Trump,” she said. “I have talked with military leaders, some of whom work with you, and they say you are a disgrace.”
Trump pushed back on Harris’ claim, saying that Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán said the United States’ “need Trump back as president.”
“Viktor Orbán said, he said, ‘the most respected, most feared person is Donald Trump. We had no problems when Trump was president,’” Trump said, calling Biden a “weak, pathetic man.”
? Rebecca Morin
Trump uses the term 'we' when discussing Jan. 6 rioters
Trump said he had nothing to do with the violence perpetrated by the insurrectionist rioters of Jan. 6, 2021.
He may have undercut his case when he used the term "we" while talking about the events surrounding the attack on the Capitol.
?David Jackson
Trump insists he 'won' in 2020 (despite past comments to the contrary)
Trump insisted he still believes he "won" the 2020 election, even though he said in recent days that he lost by a "whisker" because of voter turnout. Trump's explanation for the "whisker" comment: "That was said sarcastically."
Harris, meanwhile, said there is not doubt he lost: "Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people."
?David Jackson
Harris harnesses prosecutor vs. felon rhetoric
When answering a question about immigration rates and crime, Harris took a dig at Trump's own criminal record.
"I think this is so rich coming from someone who has been prosecuted for national security crimes, economic crimes, election interference, has been found liable for sexual assault, and his next big court appearance is in November at his own criminal sentencing," Harris said.
Last week, New York Judge Juan Merchan granted Trump's request for a delay in his sentencing for his 34 felony convictions regarding hush money payments paid to former porn star Stormy Daniels.
"The former vice president called for defunding federal law enforcement, 45,000 agents, get this, on the day after he was arraigned for 34 felony counts," she said.
? Sam Woodward
'Does that sound familiar?'
Both candidates are getting their pre-planned zingers. When Harris started to interrupt Trump, he shot back "I'm talking now" - similar to the line she used on Mike Pence in the 2020 vice presidential debate.
"Does that sound familiar?" Trump said to Harris.
Harris, meanwhile, has twice said that voters are sick of Trump's "tired, old playbook."
? David Jackson
Trump falsely claims he was prosecuted by Democrats, efforts fueled assassination attempt
Trump on Tuesday falsely said Harris was involved in the four criminal cases against him. There is no evidence Harris had involvement in the charges the former president faces.
Trump also claimed that he "probably took a bullet to the heat" due to Democratic lies about him. There is no evidence the man who attempted to assassinate Trump was motivated by his criminal cases.
? Marina Pitofsky
Harris claims no flip-flop on fracking
Harris said she made it clear in 2020 that she does not support banning fracking.
“I have not banned fracking as Vice President of the United States, and in fact, I was the tie breaking vote on the inflation Reduction Act, which opened new leases for fracking,” Harris said.
In 2019 when she was first running for president, Harris said she was in favor of banning fracking, as well as sponsored the Green New Deal as Senator. But in the 2024 election, Harris’ campaign has said she is no longer in favor.
Harris said at the debate that her position is to invest in diverse sources of energy and reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil: “We have had the largest increase in domestic oil production in history because of an approach that recognizes that we cannot over rely on foreign oil,” Harris said.
?Rebecca Morin
Trump makes false comments about people eating dogs and cats
Trump on Tuesday mentioned a false claim that there have been reports of immigrants eating dogs and cats in Springfield, Ohio. There are no credible reports of that happening.
? Marina Pitofsky
Harris: A lot of Republicans prefer me over Trump
Harris seized the opportunity to talk about all the Republicans who have condemned him and endorsed her, a list that runs from former Vice President Dick Cheney to members of the Trump administration.
She said people who know Trump the best don't like him.
Trump did not respond about Cheney; as for his former aides, he said: "I fired most of those people."
?David Jackson
Harris hits Trump's rallies
Kamala Harris set out to get under Donald Trump’s skin. It appeared to work. Harris mocked Trump’s references at his rallies to Hannibal Lector and his false claims that windmills cause cancer.
Then she went in for the kill. “And what you will also notice is that people start leaving his rallies early out of exhaustion and boredom,” Harris said. Moderator David Muir sought to steer the conversation back to policy. Trump wasn’t having it.
“I’d like to respond,” Trump said. “First let me respond, as to the rallies,” he insisted. “She said people start leaving. People don’t go to her rallies. There’s no reason to go.”
He claimed without evidence that Harris is busing in attendees of her rallies and paying them to be here.
“People don’t leave my rallies,” he continued.” We have the biggest rallies, the most incredible rallies in the history of politics.”
? Francesca Chambers
Harris criticizes Trump for role in killing bipartisan immigration bill
When asked why the Biden administration waited six months before the election to bring down border crossings at the U.S-Mexico border, Harris pointed the finger to Trump.
Harris said Trump killed a bipartisan immigration bill that would have put 1,500 more border agents and resources to the border.
“Donald Trump got on the phone, called up some folks in Congress and said, ‘kill the bill,’” Harris said. “And you know why? Because he preferred a run on a problem instead of fixing a problem.”
? Rebecca Morin
Are the mics muted? Not always
It doesn't sound like the other candidate's microphone is being muted, at least not all the time.
Both Trump and Harris could be heard arguing with each other on the abortion issue.
? David Jackson
Trump brags about overturning Roe v. Wade
Trump’s recent contortions on the abortion issue were addressed early in the debate, with the moderators asking about his position on Florida’s abortion rights ballot measure.
Trump came out against the constitutional amendment a day after indicating he might support it. In explaining his position Tuesday, Trump said “the reason I’m doing that vote” and then alleged that Democrats want extreme late-term abortion policies, including “probably after birth.” The moderator interjected, noting no state allows a baby to be killed after birth.
Trump bragged about overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision guaranteeing a constitutional right to an abortion.
Roe v. Wade was overturned “through the genius and heart and strength of six Supreme Court justices,” he said.
“I did a great service in doing it, it took courage to do it,” Trump said.
?Zac Anderson
'Insulting to the women of America'
Kamala Harris criticized Donald Trump for falsely claiming that there are states that allow people to give birth to children and then have an abortion, killing a child that has already been born.
It's "insulting to the women of America," Harris said. She also said people do not have to abandon their "faith and deeply held beliefs" to support abortion access.
? Marina Pitofsky
Trump denies that tariffs would spike costs for Americans
Donald Trump denied Tuesday that his proposed tariffs on foreign countries would hit average Americans’ pocketbooks.
“They’re not going to have higher prices,” Trump insisted, saying that it’s China that would pay more.
He had pledged to slap a tariff of at least 10% on imported goods. He said in August that he could increase the across the board rate to as much as 20%. Trump says he’ll put a 60% tariff on China, the United States’ largest economic competitor.
Harris has repeatedly said that Trump’s plan is tantamount to a national sales tax on average Americans. At the debate, Trump said that if Harris “doesn’t like them” then she should have gotten rid of them, referring to the Biden administration’s decision to keep Trump’s previous tariffs on China in place.
?Francesca Chambers
Trump jabs Harris, says he almost bought her a MAGA hat
Trump on Harris accused Harris of picking up some of his economic proposals, flip-flopping on approaches to inflation and other debates. He joked that he almost bought her one of one of his signature red Make America Great Again hat.
Harris visibly laughed as Trump targeted her economic positions.
? Marina Pitofsky
Harris quickly links Trump to Project 2025
Harris used the economy question to link Trump to Project 2025, an uber-conservative government plan filled with economic and social ideas opposed by many voters.
Trump said he knows nothing about Project 2025 - even though many of its authors are former Trump administration officials.
? David Jackson
Harris touts ‘opportunity economy’ plan, child tax credit
Kamala Harris kicked off the debate Tuesday on an issue that’s top of mind for voters: the economy.
Harris touted her plan that would address housing costs and give a $50,000 tax deduction to start up small businesses.
“I was raised as a middle class kid, and I am actually the only person on this stage who has a plan that is about lifting up the middle class and working people of America,” she said. “I believe in the ambition, the aspirations, the dreams of the American people, and that is why I imagine and have actually a plan to build what I call an opportunity economy.”
? Rebecca Morin
Harris walks over to Trump, offers handshake
Vice President Kamala Harris walked over to former President Donald Trump and extended her hand as the only scheduled debate between the candidates began.
Harris and Trump had never met before. He skipped her inauguration on his final morning at the White House.
In the election in which Trump has hurled personal insults at Harris, and Harris has characterized him as a threat to American democracy it was an unexpected and intentional sign of respect for the former president.
?Francesca Chambers
Attending and 'spinning' for Vice President Kamala Harris
Several prominent Democrats are expected to attend the debate and boast about their presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The Harris-Walz campaign announced a list of several Democratic governors, senators and representatives who will be in the "spin room" addressing the media.
Those include:
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper
Former VP shortlist contender Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro
California Gov. Gavin Newsom
U.S. Senator from Illinois Tammy Duckworth
Former Congressman Cedric Richmond
Gold Star father Khizr Khan
President Joe Biden and running mate Tim Walz are not in Philadelphia for the debate.
? Kinsey Crowley
Vibe-check: Dems in Atlanta are excited to feel excited again
More than 30 minutes before the debate, Manuels Tavern ? the Democratic-leaning bar where former President Jimmy Carter announced his 1970 gubernatorial campaign ? is packed with a standing room only crowd.
Most in the bar say they feel a huge difference between this debate and the one between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
Blake Bradburn, 33, watched the last one from home out of fear. This time? He wasn’t going to miss the party.
“The energy is back, that’s what makes this fun.”
? Karissa Waddick
How to watch Trump, Harris debate
ABC News will host the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Tuesday. However, multiple channels, including NBC and CNN, will broadcast the event as well.
– Savannah Kuchar
JD Vance, RFK Jr. will be spinning for Donald Trump at the debate
Trump running mate JD Vance is in Philadelphia, part of a large group of debate "spinners" who will promote the former president's cause with the media. The Trump spinner list also includes Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the former independent candidate who dropped out and endorsed Trump.
Daughter-in-law Lara Trump, a co-chair of the Republican National Committee, will also be spinning tonight.
So will at least ten more Republican governors and members of Congress.
– David Jackson
What is Project 2025?
You probably won't hear very much about policy documents during Tuesday's debate, but you're likely to hear about Project 2025.
The detailed plan to dismantle and reconstruct the government laid out by conservative groups known as the 2025 Presidential Transition Project has critics up in arms over its "apocalyptic" and "authoritarian" nature.
The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington, D.C., led an effort to create the more than 900-page "Mandate for Leadership," published in April 2023, reimagining the executive branch and presented a plan to overhaul several federal government agencies, including the FBI, for the country's next conservative president to follow.
More: What is Project 2025? Is this Trump's plan? The Presidential Transition Project explained.
– Rachel Barber and Marina Pitofsky
Trump's supporters turn to debate
Tracey Naulty of Philadelphia’s Port Richmond neighborhood watched pro-Palestinian protesters march east on Market Street.Carrying a sign supporting former President Donald Trump, Naulty said she believes “we won’t have a country” if he’s not elected.“The economy was better and there were no wars” when Trump was in office, she said. She called the protest “a distraction from the real issues” and believes Trump can bring peace to Ukraine and Gaza.Her dog, Nelley, a cocker-poodle mix, was wearing a pro-Trump outfit.“She’s a Trumper, too,” Naulty said.
– Marina Pitofsky
Pro-Palestinian protests swell to hundreds of people
Rabiul Chowdhury, a demonstrator in Philadelphia on Thursday, said Abandon Harris was officially launching Tuesday –an effort to force the Harris campaign to broker a cease-fire in Gaza or lose crucial votes in battleground states like Michigan and Pennsylvania.The Harris Campaign “doesn’t care about us,” said Chowdhury. The group is not advocating for Donald Trump, he added, and instead urging voters toward third party candidates like Jill Stein and Cornel West.Harris "acts like we owe her our votes. “ he added. Asked if they worried about a Trump presidency, he said: “We can’t blame Trump for what Biden and Harris did.”
– Phaedra Trethan
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz won't be present at debate
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz won't be in Philadelphia with his running mate, but will instead be campaigning in the Sun Belt on Tuesday night.
The VP nominee made his first solo visit to the crucial battleground state of Arizona Tuesday. He is set to speak at an event in Phoenix at 5:30 p.m. local time, just thirty minutes before Harris will take on Trump.
– Sam Woodward
Inside Trump's and Harris' starkly different visions for the economy
If the economic visions of Joe Biden and Donald Trump were starkly divergent, the contrast between Trump and Kamala Harris is nearly blinding.
Trump’s and Harris’ blueprints for the economy are expected to be spotlighted in their first and possibly only debate Tuesday evening, hosted by ABC News.
What does Kamala Harris support? What about Donald Trump? Read more here.
– Paul Davidson
Protesters gather in Philadelphia, demonstrate over Israel-Hamas war
A group of about 100 protesters gathered outside Philadelphia City Hall Tuesday evening to bring attention to the situation in Gaza, with plans to march as close to the Constitution Center as they can get, given the tight security perimeter there.
Holding Palestinian flags and shouting pro-Palenstian chants, the group led by the Party for Socialism and Liberation wants people to know “Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have more in common with each other than they have with us,” said Claudia Dela, a New York-based organizer.
“Democracy is very much a sham,” said Dela. Harris and Trump “are part of the same political class, and we need more voices of working people to demand what we deserve.”
– Phaedra Trethan
Biden isn't attending debate, says Harris is ‘going to do great’
President Joe Biden said he spoke with a “calm” Vice President Kamala Harris hours ahead of the debate.
Speaking with reporters outside the White House, Biden said Harris seems “calm, cool and collected” in his call with the vice president.
“I think she's going to do great. And I'm not going to tell you what advice I gave her,” Biden said.
– Rebecca Morin
7 things to watch at the Kamala Harris-Donald Trump debate
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump's showdown in Philadelphia on Tuesday will be a major test – and opportunity – in a presidential campaign that has already been defined by a debate.
Democrats and their progressive allies are fully aware of the stakes after the last head-to-head showdown led to weeks of internal party turmoil culminating in 81-year-old President Joe Biden's dramatic exit from the race.
Many are eager for Harris, known for her resume and reputation as a prosecutor, to take her Republican opponent to task over his unprecedented criminal record and to draw a contrast on critical issues facing the country in front of a national audience.
– Phillip M. Bailey
Where do Harris and Trump stand in the polls?
Harris seems to have national momentum on her side heading into the presidential debate, a USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll found. The poll of 1,000 likely voters taken after the Democratic National Convention showed Harris leading Trump 48%-43%. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
However, a New York Times/Sienna Poll of 1,695 likely voters taken last week found Trump leading Harris, 48%-47%, within the poll’s three-percentage-point margin of error.
The race appears tighter in key swing states that could determine the election’s outcome. Other polls show the candidates are neck and neck in crucial battlegrounds including Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.
– Rachel Barber
Welcome to Philly from the Harris campaign?
Electronic signs at the intersection of 12th and Market streets in Philadelphia are flashing Philly-centric signs to Donald Trump.
“Philly is Wit Harris”—a reference to how Philly natives take their cheesesteak (“wit” or “witout” onions, to the rest of youse)—and messages referencing crowd size and Project 2025 greet visitors, pedestrians and the media and dignitaries out to grab a bite at the nearby Reading Terminal Market and a Hard Rock Cafe.
– Phaedra Trethan
Scaramucci: Harris appeals to ‘normal Republicans’
Anthony Scaramucci, who served briefly as Donald Trump’s White House communication’s director, suggested Harris’ economic agenda and national security ideas would appeal to “normal Republicans.”
“There’s nothing radical about it,” Scaramucci told reporters ahead of the debate.
Scaramucci, a Trump critic who is attending the debate as a Harris surrogate, said Harris’ endorsement by former Vice President Dick Cheney and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney “gives space and comfort to normal Republicans, not Trumpish Republicans, but normal Republicans and independent moderates” that she is the right choice in this election.
Scaramucci, who was fired from the Trump White House after less than two weeks on the job, introduced himself to reporters by joking, “I'm Anthony Scaramucci, and I lasted one Scaramucci in the White House, which is 11 days."
– Michael Collins
Debate in Philly? Cue the theme from 'Rocky'
Both campaigns are referencing one of Philadelphia's claims to fame: The setting of the 1976 Oscar-winning boxing film "Rocky," the story of scrappy underdog Rocky Balboa and his challenge to world champion Apollo Creed.
"Fight Night in Philly!" tweeted Trump aide Steven Cheung as the Republican candidate's plane took off from South Florida. The Harris campaign, meanwhile, is planning a pre-debate "drone show" above the "Rocky steps" at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The odds are good that the sound system will play the musical theme from the movie, "Gonna Fly Now."
A word of caution may be in order, however: In the first Rocky film, Balboa actually lost a split decision to Creed in the championship bout; it wasn't until the first sequel that Rocky became champion.
– David Jackson
How to stream the debate, watch the debate without cable
On Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m. EDT, USA TODAY Network will stream The ABC News Presidential Debate Simulcast on the USA TODAY channel, available on most smart televisions and devices.
– USA TODAY Staff
Former Trump official Olivia Troye senses ‘sea change’ against ex-president
Olivia Troye, who worked as a national security adviser to former Vice President Mike Pence, said she’s hearing from other Republicans who believe Donald Trump is too extreme and don’t want him to return to the White House.
Troye, who quit her job in the administration after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, is serving as a surrogate for Kamala Harris and is attending the debate as Harris’ guest.
“I think I’m seeing a sea change,” Troye told reporters ahead of the debate. “I’m hearing from Republicans across the country. I’m traveling to the swing states. I’m talking to them directly, and they’re saying, ‘I don’t identify with that.’”
Troye said her values haven’t changed and that she doesn’t agree with everything Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, support. But, “I believe there is a better future for our country getting away from the extremism that Donald Trump and MAGA represent,” she said.
– Michael Collins
Melania Trump raises questions about attempted assassination of her husband
Donald Trump hasn't complained much about his security before the July 13 attempt on his life, but some of his allies have including former first lady Melania Trump. In a video promoting her upcoming memoir, Melania Trump called the assassination attempt "a horrible, distressing experience," and said "the silence around it feels heavy."
"I can't help but wonder, why didn't law enforcement officials arrest the shooter before the speech," the former first lady said.
She added: "There is definitely more to this story, and we need to uncover the truth," she said.
Donald Trump's son, Eric Trump, added on X: "I want answers as well. Something is being hidden."
– David Jackson
Presidential debate bingo: Play USA TODAY's free game during the Harris-Trump showdown
It's time for another round of the presidential debate bingo! The game where you play along as Kamala Harris and Donald Trump share the stage for the first time as they compete for the White House this November. Grab a few friends and choose your bingo cards here.
– Saman Shafiq
Foo Fighters will donate to Kamala Harris after Trump used their song 'My Hero'
The Foo Fighters are fighting back.
A representative for the rock band told USA TODAY that the Donald Trump campaign did not ask them for permission to use the group's song "My Hero" at the former president's rally last month with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in Glendale, Arizona, "and if they were, they would not have granted it."
The representative added that "any royalties received as a result of this use will be donated" to Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.
– Brendan Morrow
Trump calls for government shutdown without voting legislation
While preparing for the debate, Trump took time Tuesday to urge Republican lawmakers to shut down the government if Congress does not approve voting policies he wants. Trump wants to bar migrants who are in the country illegally from voting – but that is already illegal. His proposal would require new voters to submit more documentary proof of citizenship.
Still, in a Truth Social post, Trump said Republicans in Congress should not approve a new spending plan without his voting plan. Congress' deadline to keep the government's doors open is Sept. 30.
"If Republicans in the House, and Senate, don’t get absolute assurances on Election Security, THEY SHOULD, IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM, GO FORWARD WITH A CONTINUING RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET," he said.
– David Jackson
Two former Trump officials, Anthony Scaramucci and Olivia Troye, will be guests of Harris campaign
Two former officials in Donald Trump’s administration will be at the presidential debate for the Harris campaign on Thursday.
Anthony Scaramucci, a former Trump White House communications director, and Olivia Troye, Homeland Security advisor to Vice President Mike Pence, will serve as surrogates for the campaign and warn what a second Trump presidency would look like.
“Listen, don’t take it from us: Take it from the ones who know Donald Trump the best and who are telling the American people exactly how unfit Trump is to serve as president,” said Harris communications director Michael Tyler.
– Rebecca Morin
Trump will knock Harris on immigration at debate
One of the top issues Trump will hammer Harris on is immigration. Trump and his allies have labeled Harris as a “border czar,” claiming that she was put in charge of the border and millions have crossed the border under her watch. Immigration experts previously debunked the claim, saying that Joe Biden tasked Harris with leading the administration's diplomatic efforts addressing the "root causes" of migration in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
Trump will likely compare his immigration record with that of the Biden-Harris administration’s at the debate.
Along the U.S.-Mexico border, migrant apprehensions plunged in July from a year ago, to the lowest level of the Biden era, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics provided to USA TODAY.
– Sudiksha Kochi, Andre Byik and Lauren Villagran
Trump: 'You don't know what to expect' ahead of debate
Expect Donald Trump to harp on Kamala Harris' change of position on various issues – an allegation she's repeatedly rejected.
"You don't know what to expect - she's changed all of her policies over the years," Trump told NBC News in a phone interview on Tuesday. Harris and aides, meanwhile, plan to stress Trump's personal attacks on the vice president and other prominent Democrats.
– David Jackson
Where do Trump and Harris stand on the wars in Israel, Ukraine?
Both Trump and Harris view Israel as a pivotal U.S. ally and have supported the country in the wake of Hamas’ devastating attack on Oct. 7.
Still, both nominees have split from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at times. Trump earlier this year earlier this year called on Israel to “finish up your war.” Harris has said Israeli leaders "must do more to protect civilian life" in Gaza.
Trump has said without evidence that, if elected, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would be settled within 24 hours, though it’s not clear how he would negotiate with the countries. Harris has widely criticized Russia’s invasion. In a major shift, the Biden administration earlier this year authorized Ukraine to use U.S. weapons to strike targets inside Russia.
– Marina Pitofsky
Bottoms up: Drinking games for tonight's debate
Tonight’s debate is high stakes for both candidates, and millions of Americans are expected to tune in. For any viewers in need of entertainment with their politics, here are just a few drinking game ideas.
Spicy USA TODAY presidential debate bingo: Players will follow along with bingo cards, and each person to subsequently call bingo takes their numerically assigned shot (of alcohol, if of age and appropriate).
Debate foul, party foul: Essentially, if the candidates fail to follow the rules, viewers take a drink.
Line by line, sip by sip: Players should pick their political cliche of choice (think "my fellow Americans" or "We the People") and sip every time that line is said.
For more game details and specifics, read here.
– Savannah Kuchar and James Powel
Where do Harris and Trump stand on the border?
Trump has made immigration and southern border policy a cornerstone of his political career. He has long attacked undocumented immigrants, promising wide-reaching deportations if he’s elected to a second term. The Trump administration also faced major criticism over immigration officials separating children and parents or other family at the border with Mexico.
Harris opposed the construction of a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border as a 2020 presidential candidate, but she backed bipartisan border legislation pushed by the Biden administration that would have allocated unspent dollars to continue the construction of a border wall, among a host of other measures.
– Marina Pitofsky and Joey Garrison
When is the vice presidential debate? Will Tim Walz and JD Vance debate?
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance are gearing up to take the stage for a vice presidential debate after both accepted an Oct. 1 invitation from CBS News.
The outlet also offered the candidates the chance to debate on Sept. 17, Sept. 24, and Oct. 8, but neither accepted those invitations. Vance suggested they also debate Sept. 18, but Walz has not agreed to that date.
– Rachel Barber
Harris, Trump to meet – for the first time
Harris and Trump have had much to say about one another while campaigning for president. But tonight’s debate marks the first time that the pair will actually meet face-to-face.
While both have been in politics and the public eye for decades now, the candidates have yet to cross paths.
Harris was present as a senator for Trump’s State of the Union addresses, but the two did not interact then. And Trump did not attend her vice presidential inauguration after refusing to accept the 2020 election results.
– Savannah Kuchar and Phillip Bailey
Advocates urge prioritizing abortion discussion
Abortion rights activists are calling for tonight’s debate moderators to prioritize the issue in their questions to candidates.
A petition by the progressive advocacy group MoveOn has garnered over 40,000 signatures, including support from actress Busy Philipps, and activists Amanda Zurwaski and Kaitlyn Joshua, who shared their personal abortion stories on stage at the Democratic National Convention last month.
Abortion is likely to come up tonight as a top concern in this year’s election. Harris, who has long been a leading voice in the Biden administration on the issue, has made reproductive rights a cornerstone of her presidential campaign.
– Savannah Kuchar
How long is the debate tonight?
Presidential debates are typically 90 minutes long, including the one tonight.
The Biden-Trump debate in June hosted by CNN went from 9 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m.
In 2020, the first presidential debate between Biden and Trump was also about 90 minutes. It was moderated by former Fox News journalist Chris Wallace.
– Sudiksha Kochi
How old are the candidates?
Age was at the center of discussion about the 2024 election after the June debate between Biden and Trump.
Biden, 81, had a stumbling debate performance that night that ultimately led to him stepping aside and endorsing Harris to become the Democratic nominee.
Members of Congress, voters, and pundits wrung their hands publicly about it in the month after the debate while Trump sought to capitalize on Biden’s poor performance. He mocked the president at a rally in Virginia the day after the debate and accused Biden of being a "part-time president" at a rally in Miami in July after Biden struggled to articulate his pitch to Americans on the debate stage.
So, how old is Trump, and how old is Harris?
Trump turned 78 years old in June and would be 82 by the end of his term if he were to win in November.
Harris will turn 60 in October and would be 64 years old by the end of her term if she were to win in November.
– Elizabeth Beyer, David Jackson and Charles Trepany
Are there more presidential debates?
Tonight’s debate is currently the only face-off between Harris and Trump scheduled.
Trump had proposed two other dates in September for additional debates, while the Harris campaign said in a statement the vice president would agree to another meeting between the candidates in October.
– Savannah Kuchar and Marina Pitofsky
Harris, Trump polling neck-and-neck in swing states
Harris and Trump head into debate night Tuesday essentially neck-and-neck in the 2024 swing states.
Trump had enjoyed a lead in these seven battlegrounds earlier this year when Biden was still in the race.
Shortly after taking over the ticket, though, Harris gained a slight advantage in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina and Arizona, and tied Trump in Georgia, according to a Cook Political Report survey last month. Trump continued to lead in Nevada by 5 points.
And a Detroit Free Press survey late last month found Trump ahead again by one point in Michigan.
Essentially, the race could not be tighter, and both candidates will be vying tonight for support from voters in these key states.
– Savannah Kuchar, Joey Garrison, and Todd Spangler
What are the debate rules and who are the moderators?
The debate will be 90 minutes long with two commercial breaks. There will be no props or pre-written notes allowed onstage, and candidates will be given a pen, pad of paper and a water bottle. Candidates' microphones will be live only for the candidate whose turn it is to speak and muted when the time belongs to another candidate.
The two moderators for the debate are ABC journalists Linsey Davis and David Muir. Muir is a broadcast journalist who is the host and managing editor of "ABC World News Tonight with David Muir." Muir interviewed Biden earlier this year as a part of D-Day coverage and was Trump's first White House interview as president in 2017.
Davis hosts "ABC News Live Prime," ABC News' streaming evening newscast, and weekend "World News Tonight" on Sundays. She is also a correspondent for "World News Tonight," "Good Morning America," "20/20" and "Nightline."
– Saman Shafiq, Gabe Hauari, and Sudiksha Kochi
Who won which states in 2020?
In the 2020 presidential race, Biden won 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232. Of the 538 votes in the Electoral College up for grabs, a candidate must receive 270 of those votes to win.
In 2020, Biden won six of the seven states deemed battlegrounds in this year’s election: Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Nevada. Trump won one of this year's battleground states in 2020: North Carolina.
Battleground, or swing states, are those that flipped parties in the presidential election between 2016 and 2020.
As Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump prepare to face off on the debate stage in Philadelphia later this evening, take a look at how the 2020 race shook out along with some background on the Electoral College.
– Elizabeth Beyer
Where is the debate?
The debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will take place in Philadelphia at the National Constitution Center.
Pennsylvania is one of a handful of battleground states that could be key in deciding the outcome of this year’s presidential election.
– Savannah Kuchar
How candidates are approaching the debate
Catch up on the dynamics going into the debate tonight with these USA TODAY stories:
– USA TODAY Staff
What time will Trump and Harris debate?
Tuesday's debate is set to begin at 9 p.m. ET.
– Savannah Kuchar
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Debate replay: Harris puts Trump on defensive over Jan. 6, abortion
