By Jessica Park
Former President Donald Trump announced that he would not take part in another debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, stating, “There will be no third debate!”Former President Donald Trump announced that he would not take part in another debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, stating, “There will be no third debate!” This came after the presidential debate hosted by ABC in Philadelphia on September 10, 2024. Despite Trump’s refusal, Harris called for another round, saying during a rally in Charlotte, “We owe it to the voters to have another debate because this election is so important.” But Trump dismissed the idea, saying Harris “should focus on what she should have done during the last almost four years.” A senior adviser from Harris’s campaign expressed doubt about Trump’s decision, saying, “He changes his position every day.”
Trump claimed he was treated unfairly during the Philadelphia debate, calling the debate “three-on-one” against him and later suggested he might not join another debate.
What were the major topics discussed in the presidential debate between Trump and Harris?
- Harris’s Strategy: Harris used the debate to provoke Trump by making remarks aimed at angering him, such as saying that world leaders were laughing at him, calling him weak, and reminding him of his 2020 election loss.
- Trump’s Reaction: Trump responded emotionally, often going off-topic and defending himself against accusations rather than addressing the issues raised. He also repeated several conspiracy theories and false claims, including those about election fraud and statements about immigrants.
- Contentious Topics: Harris criticized Trump’s stance on key issues such as abortion, positioning herself as an advocate for middle-class Americans, while portraying Trump as self-serving.
- Use of Conspiracy Theories: Trump brought up various unfounded conspiracy theories, such as immigrants eating pets and accusations against the FBI.
- Global Issues: Both candidates struggled to provide clear plans for ending conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Harris criticized Trump’s friendly attitude toward authoritarian leaders, suggesting that they favored his return to power.
- Comments on Race: Harris attacked Trump over his history of racial discrimination, while Trump dismissed her criticisms.
- Debate Over Past Actions: Harris and Trump clashed over their handling of past policy decisions, including Trump’s actions toward Israel and his relationship with foreign leaders like Vladimir Putin.
While Trump insisted he had “won” the debate, a CNN fact-check found that most polls showed Harris as the winner, including a survey of voters who watched the debate. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former independent candidate who now supports Trump, said Trump “won on substance,” but admitted Harris excelled in “delivery, polish, and preparation.” Looking ahead, Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, and Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are scheduled to debate on October 1, hosted by CBS.
Here are some questions for us as high school students to think about:
- Why do you think political debates are important for voters? How can they influence the outcome of an election?
- What qualities do you think are most important in a leader, and why?
- How can you determine the accuracy of information presented during a debate or in the media? What strategies do you use to verify facts?
