Trump faces backlash over debate defeat as Harris gains momentum in race
Former President Donald Trump is hesitating over the possibility of a second debate with Vice President Kamala Harris after his lackluster performance in their initial face-off prompted a swift damage control effort by his team and conservative media allies.
It’s too early to determine whether the clash in Philadelphia has significantly shifted the race. Harris is appealing to swing voters to move away from the turmoil of the Trump administration. Following the debate, both campaigns are assessing its impact, with over 60 million viewers tuning in just eight weeks before Election Day.
While Trump took several victory laps after President Joe Biden’s poor debate showing earlier in the summer, the ex-president now finds himself on the defensive. Although his campaign is not facing collapse like Biden’s reelection effort, the debate highlighted Trump’s ongoing struggle to counter Harris’ arguments effectively.
Harris, meanwhile, has been invigorated by a surge of support, including an endorsement from pop superstar Taylor Swift, which could draw more attention from younger voters. Despite her strong showing, it remains to be seen whether she has effectively paved her path to the necessary 270 electoral votes.
In the battleground state of Michigan, Democratic Representative Debbie Dingell expressed caution, despite her initial enthusiasm over Harris’ performance. She noted that while the vice president made significant points, Michigan remains a tight race, with Trump’s base energized.
Harris’ allies are continuing their efforts to provoke Trump. Philippe Reines, a former Clinton aide, stated that Trump seemed mentally slower than in 2016, describing him as a “malfunctioning appliance.” Trump’s recent debate performance was marked by a series of factual inaccuracies, such as his baseless claim that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were killing and eating local pets. This claim was quickly debunked by Ohio’s Republican Governor Mike DeWine.
The day after the debate, both Trump and Harris attended a September 11 commemoration in New York, marking a brief moment of unity. However, Trump returned to his usual rhetoric soon after, declaring his debate performance one of his best and accusing the moderators of rigging the event.
Despite widespread criticism, Trump continues to toy with the idea of a second debate, although he appears reluctant to face Harris again. As the race tightens, both campaigns are weighing the risks of another high-stakes encounter, knowing that the outcome could heavily influence the final weeks leading up to Election Day.
Credit: CNN
