Abortion, Foreign Policy, and the Economy Take Center Stage at Debate

In what is likely to be the first and only debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, the two candidates squared off in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.

Here is a recap of what happened on the debate stage.

Candidates Meet in Philadelphia for Presidential Debate

Tuesday's presidential debate was hosted by ABC News and moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis from the National Constitution Center. The event went on for nearly two hours with the moderators pressing the candidates on specific issues.

Both candidates had agreed to have the microphones muted, helping to limit the interruptions and aid the moderators in helping to keep the discussion on topic.

While the debate began on a cordial note with the pair shaking hands when walking out on stage, it did not take long for the jackets to come and the insults to start. The moderators went through a litany of topics, including immigration, crime, the economy, women's reproductive rights, health care, international affairs, and more.

Harris' goal was to introduce herself to voters who may not be familiar with her policies. She also attempted to draw a stark contrast between herself and Trump, painting herself as an advocate for the middle class while portraying Trump as only in it for himself.

By the time the debate had wrapped up, Trump spoke for a total of just under 43 minutes while Harris had the mic for slightly over 37 minutes.

The former president used some of his time in front of the microphone to distance himself from the controversial Project 2025 roadmap for the country. He said that he had nothing to do with Project 2025 after Harris linked him to what she called a "dangerous plan."

President Joe Biden watched the debate with family members and staff from a hotel in New York City. The president is in New York City ahead of the September 11 anniversary.

Abortion Contentious Issue

As expected, the discussion around abortion was one of the most contentious moments of the debate. Unlike President Biden who was unable to hammer home his party's stance on women's reproductive rights during the June debate, Harris called out Trump for his appointment of three Supreme Court justices that overturned the nation's federal abortion protections.

The vice president also aimed to call out Trump for his attempt to moderate his pro-life stance while defending overturning Roe v. Wade.

Trump argued that "everyone" was happy that the issue of abortion rights returned to the safe level. The former president was fact-checked by the moderators after claiming that babies were being "executed" in the ninth month of pregnancy.

Foreign Policy

The moderators also pressed the candidates about their views on specific foreign policy issues. Harris confirmed that she was in agreement with Biden's decision to pull the U.S. military out of Afghanistan in 2021. She went on to criticize Trump for his policies on Afghanistan while he was in office.

The war in Ukraine also took center stage at the debate. Trump told Americans that he would "settle" the conflict within 24 hours if he were to be elected. After he falsely claimed that Harris met with Russian President Vladimir Putin just days before Russia invaded Ukraine, Harris said that leaders around the world are laughing at Trump.

Both candidates were also asked about their position on the war between Israel on Hamas. Trump spoke to his frequent meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while admonishing Harris for not supporting Israel.

Meanwhile, Harris tried to walk the line between offering up her support for Israel's rights to defend itself while calling out the atrocities in Gaza.

Will There Be Another Debate?

The big question now is whether the two will meet on the debate stage again during this election cycle. Heading into Tuesday night, this was the only debate on the schedule.

However, the Harris campaign called for a second debate just moments after the two left the stage in Philadelphia. Harris campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon said that her team wanted the second debate in October to give Americans another chance to see the choice they have heading into the election.

The only debate currently confirmed for this cycle will be between GOP Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio and Democratic Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, facing off in the vice presidential debate on October 1 in New York City. This event will be hosted by CBS News, moderated by Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan.

Taylor Swift Endorses Harris

Shortly after the debate concluded, pop star Taylor Swift voiced her endorsement for Harris and Walz in a post on her Instagram account. The popular icon had been quiet up until this point, leaving fans wondering if she would endorse a candidate.

Swift said that Harris is an advocate for the rights and causes that are important to her. In her post, Swift encouraged her followers to do their own research and register to vote. She signed off by referring to herself as a "childless cat lady," a dig at recent comments by Vance.

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