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The first face-to-face confrontation between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris was filled with tense moments and colorful twists.
Harris appeared to irritate the former president by mentioning the size of his presidential rallies and criticizing the numerous legal cases against him.
In response, Trump criticized Harris for allowing millions of illegal immigrants into the country who “eat dogs and cats” and claimed that President Joe Biden actually “hates” her.
Throughout the debate, the vice president continually shook her head and smiled, at one point saying “that’s not true” when Trump began calling her a “Marxist.”
Meanwhile, Trump frowned and looked down, sometimes interjecting during the allotted two-minute response time, while spending most of the debate on the defensive.
Harris appeared to irritate the former president by mentioning the size of his presidential rallies and criticizing the numerous legal cases against him.
Critics also slammed ABC News moderators, who hosted the debate, for being “biased” as they continued to fact-check Trump while allowing Harris to get away with her “lies.”
DailyMail.com looks at leading political pundits who reveal which candidate emerged victorious after the dramatic debate:
David Litt: Kamala Harris defeated Trump
David Litt, former President Obama’s chief speechwriter, told DailyMail.com that Democrats are applauding tonight.
“Democrats like me were dismayed after Trump beat Biden in the first debate. Tonight, we’re celebrating.”
‘Vice President Harris appeared calm and collected, and laid out a clear policy vision that resonated with undecided voters. Trump had one task: link Harris to Biden’s unpopular policies, and he seemingly forgot the task.’
He commented on how Trump keeps “taking the bait over and over again,” resulting in “confusing, whiny responses that make him appear confused and completely incapable of leading.”
‘If Donald Trump were a Democrat and not the leader of a cult of personality, his party would be talking about replacing him as its nominee after his disastrous performance in this debate.’
Jonathan Bronitsky: Both candidates ran
Bronitsky, a former chief speechwriter for Trump’s attorney general Bill Barr and co-founder and CEO of ATHOS, said Harris did better than expected.
“Both candidates applied for the job,” he told DailyMail.com.
“Trump was disciplined and focused on the issues,” Bill Barr’s former speechwriter told DaliyMail.com
‘Trump appeared disciplined and focused on the issues. After a rocky start, Harris put to rest the idea that she is totally incapable of making a coherent, extended argument without a teleprompter.’
Bronitsky called it surprising that Harris was the candidate who was “interrupting and throwing little jabs.”
“She launched ad hominem attacks by proxy, such as her mysterious and anonymous ‘military leaders’ calling Trump a ‘disgrace,'” he continued.
But he said Trump had more “standout” moments with his wit and prevailed over the vice president.
“He was direct, passionate and genuinely upset by the country’s decline over the past four years. His frustration is shared, no doubt, by countless fellow citizens.”
Joel Payne: That was a ‘kick in the ass’ from Trump
Democratic strategist Joel Payne declared that Harris won by a landslide.
“It was a beating,” Payne told DailyMail.com. “Harris won that debate by three touchdowns.”
Trump had more “standout” moments with his “brash” wit and prevailed over the vice president, expert said
“Winning debates doesn’t win you elections, but for the American people looking to learn more about Kamala Harris, she did a very important job of educating the public about herself and her vision.”
Payne similarly noted that Trump took “every bait” from the vice president.
‘Trump was disheveled and nervous and took every bait she threw at him.’
Max Burns: Not very good for Trump’s campaign
MSNBC contributor and Democratic strategist Max Burns told DailyMail.com that Trump’s campaign is in trouble after the debate.
“Tonight’s debate will be remembered for one thing: Donald Trump shouting that Haitians are eating America’s cats. That’s not the memory the Trump campaign wants to have in voters’ heads when early voting begins.”
Alfredo Ortiz: Harris is trying to escape from her record
The leader of the conservative advocacy group Job Creators Network said the debate drew a “clear contrast” between Trump and Harris.
MSNBC contributor and Democratic strategist Max Burns told DailyMail.com that Trump’s campaign is in trouble after the debate.
He criticized the vice president for entering the debate “with only clichéd viewpoints.”
‘Kamala has ducked and ducked her failed liberal record, changing her position on countless important issues. Kamala can run from her record, but she can’t hide from its results.’
During the debate, Trump made baseless claims that illegal immigrants in Ohio are “eating cats and dogs.”
“They are eating the pets of the people who live there,” he said. “And this is what is happening in our country, and it is a disgrace… If she becomes president… we will end up being Venezuela on steroids.”
Harris simply responded with a laugh: “I mean, talking about extremes.”
Jessica Anderson: The ‘New Kamala’ refuses to be honest
The leader of the conservative advocacy group Job Creators Network said the debate drew a “clear contrast” between Trump and Harris.
Jessica Anderson, president of the conservative group Sentinel Action Fund, told DailyMail.com that Kamala Harris was trying to “rewrite history about her support for the most radical policies.”
He listed the border, immigration, fracking, energy and Bidenomics as examples.
“It’s clear she still refuses to be honest with the country about her position,” Anderson continued, saying she is not “misleading voters.”
“Four more years of Kamala with the Senate’s seal of approval would continue the same chaos and destruction that American families cannot afford.”