Donald Trump had hoped to steer the course for victory, but the highly anticipated TV debate between him and Kamala Harris ended in a bitter setback. The Republican candidate aimed to verbally knock out his opponent, but Harris—well-prepared—lured him into a trap that played into her hands. A visibly angry and thin-skinned Trump, quick to lose his temper, ended up alienating many viewers. His off-topic rant about “cat-eating migrants” and his idolization of Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán as a global figure only distracted from key issues like immigration and inflation. His refusal to clearly support either Ukraine or Russia in their ongoing conflict further weakened his stance.
Harris’ Mind Trick Triggers Trump
Harris used a clever mind trick to send Trump into a tailspin. She mentioned that Trump’s supporters were leaving his rallies early out of boredom, which enraged him. As Trump exploded on live television, Harris smirked, knowing she’d rattled him. The debate drew a massive audience—67 million viewers, almost as many as Trump’s 2016 showdown with Hillary Clinton. In flash polls, 60 percent of viewers saw Harris as the clear winner.
One of Harris’ bold moves was recommending pop superstar Taylor Swift as a model for the election, a nod to Swift’s influence among younger voters. But whether this will sway the outcome of the election remains unclear, with the first poll effects expected over the weekend.
Swift Endorsement: Harris’ Secret Weapon?
Despite her confident performance, Harris still faced criticism for her lack of policy substance. She avoided concrete answers on key issues like mass migration and inflation, the top concern for voters. Even her allies are beginning to question her reluctance to outline her vision for the future. “She should talk about what she wants to do for the people,” remarked CNN’s Jake Tapper, one of her usual supporters.
Following Joe Biden’s exit from the race, Trump’s age—he’s 78—has become a talking point, and his eccentric remarks are providing ammunition for his opponents to dismiss him as out of touch. Pollster Frank Luntz remarked that Trump’s debate performance might cost him the election, especially due to his pessimistic and negative tone, which is off-putting to many Americans. “It was cynical and contemptuous,” Luntz said. Yet, Trump is still viewed as more competent on key issues like the economy and border security. Normally, this would make him the favorite—but in such an unpredictable election year, nothing is certain.
