Trump and Harris cross paths again at 9/11 ceremony as post-debate polls reveal Kamala ‘won’: Live

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris were reunited hours after their head-to-head presidential debate in Philadelphia as both attended a 9/11 memorial event at Ground Zero in New York City on Wednesday morning.

The Republican nominee was widely felt to have fallen apart on the ABC News debate stage, providing rambling answers on illegal immigration, abortion and the economy and taking the bait whenever he was goaded by Harris, notably when she mocked his “boring and exhausting” rallies.

The candidates had shared an unexpected handshake at the start of the night, with the Vice President introducing herself and catching the businessman off guard.

But when the contest got underway, Trump went off on wild but familiar tangents, rehashing a recently debunked claim about Haitian immigrants stealing and eating domestic pets in Springfield, Ohio, inviting widespread ridicule.

Harris, meanwhile, used her time to cycle through Trump’s legacy of racist attacks, professional failings and culpability for the Capitol riot.

Shortly after the combative, 90-minute encounter concluded, Trump was dealt a further blow when pop superstar Taylor Swift formally announced she is endorsing Harris and Tim Walz, labelling herself a “childless cat lady” in a rebuke to JD Vance.

Key Points

• Kamala Harris and Donald Trump immediately reunited after debate at 9/11 memorial in New York

• Who won the ABC presidential debate between Harris and Trump?

• Recap: Harris baits angry, rambling Trump in pivotal debate as he is fact-checked on immigration, abortion and crime

• Out-of-control Trump airs debunked claim about Haitians stealing and eating pets in Ohio

• Trump responds to Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Harris

Simpsons memes go viral after Trump claims that ‘dogs are being eaten in Springfield’

14:40 , Joe Sommerlad

Trump’s dog-eating nonsense concerning a town called Springfield has inevitably invited a deluge of Simpsons memes.

Greg Evans rounds up the best.

Simpsons memes go viral after Trump claims that ‘dogs are being eaten in Springfield’

Time pronounces Trump ‘in trouble’ on first post-debate magazine cover

14:20 , Joe Sommerlad

A thing of beauty.

Harris and Trump immediately reunited at 9/11 memorial event in New York

14:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Having never been in the same room before last night, the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates met again at Ground Zero in New York City this morning to remember the 2,977 victims of the notorious terrorist atrocity on its 23rd anniversary.

They even shook hands again.

President Joe Biden was alongside his Vice President and the pair will later travel together to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to pay their respects at the Flight 93 memorial there – as will Trump, according to CNN.

Trump confronted by ‘Central Park Five’ member he called to be executed in debate spin room

13:40 , Joe Sommerlad

Hard to imagine a more mind-bogglingly awkward social situation than this.

John Bowden has this report on Yusef Salaam’s encounter with the man who took out full-page newspaper advertisements angrily demanding his execution for a crime he did not commit.

Trump confronted by ‘Central Park Five’ member in debate spin room

Trump on Fox & Friends: ‘I thought I did a great job’

13:38 , Joe Sommerlad

Here’s a little more from Trump’s inevitable Fox phone-in this morning.

Astonishingly, he appears to be in denial about how it all went for him.

Trump also said he would be “less inclined” to do another debate after his experience last night, joining his fellow conservatives in baselessly accusing ABC moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis of bias.

On the prospect of taking part in a debate on on Fox, Trump said: “I wouldn’t want to have Martha [MacCallum] and Bret [Baier]. Let’s give other people a shot. I didn’t think Martha and Bret were good last night.”

That prompted Fox & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade to jump in to defend his colleagues moments.

“Bret and Martha would do a phenomenal job,” he said.

“I think you would find them extremely fair.”

Breaking: Trump says Taylor Swift will ‘pay the price’ for Harris endorsement in post-debate interview

13:00 , James Liddell

Donald Trump has declared that Taylor Swift will “pay the price” after the singer endorsed Kamala Harris in the wake of the presidential debate on Tuesday evening.

“I was not a Taylor Swift fan,” Trump said during a post-debate interview with Fox News’s Fox & Friends on Wednesday morning.

“It was just a question of time. She couldn’t possibly endorse Biden… But she’s a very liberal person.”

He concluded: “She seems to always endorse a Democrat, and she’ll probably pay a price for it in the marketplace.”

After months of keeping her cards close to her chest, Swift posted a photo of herself alongside a hefty caption on Instagram declaring that the vice president “fights for the rights and causes I believe”.

The “Cruel Summer” singer spoke out about Trump posting an AI-generated “Swifties for Trump” picture, falsely claiming to have her endorsement.

Swift also took a swipe at his running mate, JD Vance, signing off as “Taylor Swift. Childless cat lady,” along with a photograph of her holding her cat.

She added: “I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election.”

Here’s Rhian Lubin’s report.

Trump says Taylor Swift will ‘pay the price’ for Harris endorsement

Fact-checking Trump’s false claims at debate – from ‘eating pets’ to ‘executing babies’

12:39 , James Liddell

“Kamala Harris,” the vice president said as she strode across the debate stage and shook Donald Trump’s hand. “Let’s have a good debate.”

“Nice to see you,” he replied. “Have fun.”

It marked the first time the presidential nominees had ever met face-to-face as they took to the stage in Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center on Tuesday night for the debate moderated by ABC News.

But Harris and Trump’s amicable start was short lived, with the former president quickly spiraling into a slew of personal and policy-based attacks – many of which the former president has been baselessly claiming since the vice president stepped up on the Democratic ticket in July.

From Haitian immigrants devouring cats and dogs to the execution of babies after birth, Trump made a series of falsehoods and wild claims.

The Independent has debunked Trump’s five most bizarre (and baseless) claims of the night:

Trump’s false claims at debate debunked – from ‘eating pets’ to ‘executing babies’

Join our virtual event: Harris vs Trump – who will make history?

12:30 , Joe Sommerlad

Next month, The Independent will be hosting an insightful and dynamic panel discussion, delving into the critical question on everyone’s minds: “Who will be the next President of the United States?”

Will America elect its first female president, Kamala Harris? Or will the country vote to reinstate Donald Trump, marking a historic return to the White House after his conviction for fraud?

With the 2024 US presidential election shaping up to be one of the most consequential in modern history, The Independent is bringing together a team of seasoned experts to provide an in-depth analysis of the candidates, their platforms and the potential impacts of their presidencies.

Reserve your space here.

Harris vs. Trump: who will make history?

Harris unexpectedly reveals she is a gun owner

12:10 , Joe Sommerlad

In addition to picking a running mate in Tim Walz who is an avid hunter and outdoorsman, Harris revealed last night that she too owns a firearm, a further blow to Republican efforts to paint her as entirely unsympathetic on the issue.

The points enables her to make the case for common sense legislation on ownership rules without being characterised as an uncompromising progressive.

This was Maryland Democrat Jamie Raskin’s message for GOP voters on that subject, incidentally.

Kaitlan Collins takes on JD Vance over cat-eating lie

11:50 , Joe Sommerlad

This was fabulous from the CNN anchor as she took on Trump’s running mate in the aftermath of last night’s debate with an unexpected Bigfoot comparison.

You might also enjoy Trump’s pet rant set to the theme for Peanuts while we’re at it.

Here’s Ariana Baio’s report on that particularly bizarre interlude.

Bizarre debate moment Trump wildly claims migrants are eating pet dogs and cats

Watch: Highlights from Trump v Harris presidential debate

11:30 , Joe Sommerlad

Let’s take a look back at some of the key exchanges from last night, from that opening handshake to clashes on abortion, cat munching and Ukraine.

You can see our greatest hits package for the whole evening below.

Elon Musk sends creepy response to Taylor Swift over Harris endorsement

11:10 , Joe Sommerlad

This was how a baffled and tired-looking Trump reacted to the news that the pop megastar would be backing Harris-Walz, making a nonsense of his dodgy “Swifties for Trump” AI memes.

Much worse was this creepy post from Musk:

Here’s Mike Bedigan’s report on arguably one of the most significant developments of the night.

Taylor Swift endorses Harris after debate and calls herself ‘childless cat lady’

Snap poll after debate reveals state of presidential race between Trump and Harris

10:50 , Joe Sommerlad

According to a CNN flash poll conducted by SSRS in the immediate aftermath of last night’s action, 44 per cent of registered voters who tuned in to the ABC News debate said Harris better understands the problems facing regular Americans today, while 40 per cent backed Trump.

Harris’s favorability also rose after the debate, with 45 per cent saying they view her favorably compared to 39 per cent before the two candidates took to the stage.

However, a significant 44 per cent of registered voters said they view her unfavorably in the aftermath of the debate.

By contrast, voters’ opinions of Trump were largely unchanged, with 39 per cent rating him favorably and 51 per cent unfavorably.

Myriam Page has more.

Snap poll after debate reveals state of presidential race between Trump and Harris

Lindsey Graham admits debate was a ‘disaster’ for Trump

10:30 , Joe Sommerlad

The South Carolina Senator had this frank admission to make in the spin room afterwards…

…which contrasts rather sharply with what he’s been saying in public.

This is more like the sort of message you’d hope to hear from your backers after a debate like that.

Where’s Melania Trump? Former first lady notably missing as MAGA entourage flocks to presidential debate

10:10 , Joe Sommerlad

You know who was on Trump’s jet when it touched down in Philadelphia yesterday?

His daughter-in-law and Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump, his lawyer Alina Habba, his campaign co-chairs Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, his spokesperson Steven Cheung, senior advisor Corey Lewandowski, his son Eric Trump, former Democratic Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, Florida Representative Matt Gaetz and Trump’s bag man Walt Nauta and, er, far-right activist Laura Loomer.

You know who wasn’t?

Melania.

Here’s more from James Liddell.

Where’s Melania Trump? Former first lady notably missing from presidential debate

Trump ‘got his clock cleaned’ on debate floor, says Californa governor

09:50 , Joe Sommerlad

Gavin Newsom, tipped by many as a future Democratic presidential contender, clearly enjoyed that immensely.

He characterises Trump’s attempt to dominate the spin room as “an act of desperation”.

Celebrities react to the Trump-Harris debate: ‘She crushed him’

09:30 , Joe Sommerlad

Here’s Greg Evans on how Trump enemies Bette Midler, Mark Hamill and others reacted to last night’s bout in Philadelphia.

Hard to disagree with Nick Offerman’s assessment that it amounted to “a good old-fashioned a**-whupping.”

Celebrities react to the Trump-Harris debate: ‘She crushed him’

Watch: Tim Walz says Trump ‘like an old man shouting at the clouds’ during debate

09:10 , Joe Sommerlad

Truth Social: Trump gaslights with claims of ‘big win’ in ‘three on one’ brawl

08:50 , Joe Sommerlad

As you may not be surprised to learn, Trump is coping with the debate by declaring victory with a string of memes and partisan opinion polls and claiming it was a “three on one” contest, implying that ABC moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis were biased against him.

He also posted this spurious video about a woman supposedly eating a cat in Ohio to back up his latest absurd attack.

Trump takes to spin room to tells reporters it was ‘best debate’ he’s ever had

08:30 , Joe Sommerlad

In the media spin room at the National Constitution Center immediately after the debate, Donald Trump broke with custom to make a personal appearance, rather than leave the messaging to his surrogates, insisting this was “the best debate” he’s ever had and claiming Harris “got beaten.”

Responding to Democratic calls for a second debate, Trump said: “They immediately called for a second debate because they lost.”

The BBC’s veteran reporter Gary O’Donoghue suggested, on the contrary, that the Republican’s appearance in the room indicated he knew the night had gone badly for him.

Our own John Bowden on the ground in Philly had this to add on Trump’s surprise run-in with a member of the Central Park Five:

“A stunning moment occurred in the spin room after the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on Tuesday evening as the former president himself made his way to the spin room to address the assembled media covering the night.

“Trump, surrounded on all sides by reporters and a ring of Secret Service agents, came face-to-face with New York City Councilman Yusef Salaam – none other than a member of the Central Park Five, an exonerated group of young men accused and later cleared of murder charges whom the former president had publicly called to be executed in a full-page newspaper ad.

“Two reporters questioned whether Trump had anything to say to Salaam, who stared into the face of the former president as the cameras rolled.

“Trump, with a laughing smile on his face, quipped that Salaam ‘must’ be ‘on my side’ – a remark that drew a startled laugh from not just Salaam but the reporters around him as well, before Salaam said ‘no’ and Trump nodded, still laughing, and turned his back to him.”

Here’s Rhian Lubin’s report on his ill-advised attempt to try to stage manage the reaction to his performance.

Trump claims it was his ‘best debate ever’ as he rushes to spin room

Recap: Harris baits Trump in pivotal debate as he loses control and lies about immigrants ‘eating pets’ and abortion

08:10 , Joe Sommerlad

If you’re just joining us, Vice President Kamala Harris got the best of Donald Trump in their long-awaited clash on the presidential debate stage in Philadelphia, goading and baiting him into anger by saying his supporters regularly left his rallies early due to “exhaustion and boredom”.

The Republican reacted bitterly to that, insisting on the entertainment value of his events while falsely claiming that the Democrat has to “bus” people into hers, declaring: “People don’t leave my rallies. We have the biggest rallies, the most incredible rallies in the history of politics.”

Trump also raised eyebrows with a heated answer on immigration, repeating an already-debunked online conspiracy theory claiming that Haitian immigrants had been eating stolen domestic pets in a small town in Ohio: “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what’s happening in our country, and it’s a shame.”

For her part, Harris’s best answer came on the subject of abortion when she warned: “Trump abortion bans that make no exception even for rape and incest.

“Understand what that means. A survivor of a crime, a violation of their body, does not have the right to make a decision about what happens to their body next. That is immoral.”

Her opponent argued that Democrats were in favor of abortion after birth but was sharply corrected by ABC moderator Linsey Davis, who told him: “There is no state in this country where it is legal to kill a baby after it’s born.”

Trump was also corrected on urban crime statistics, leading him to attack the FBI, and was grilled on his past comments on Harris’s race, backing down on his suggestion that she only recently “happened to turn Black” by saying he “couldn’t care less” and that how she identified was up to her.

Harris chuckled, grinned, rolled her eyes and offered an incredulous squint to many of his answers but also got tough, telling Trump that military leaders he worked with now consider him “a disgrace”, that she has 200 Republicans backing her candidacy in opposition to him, that he had been “fired by 81 million people” in 2020 and that he “would rather run on a problem than fix a problem.”

Harris had opened by outlining the “mess” the Joe Biden administration had inherited from Trump after taking office in the wake of the Capitol riot and ended by contrasting her bright vision for America’s future with Trump’s apocalyptic rhetoric doing the country down.

But perhaps her best attack line of the evening was this: “He talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter. He will talk about how windmills cause cancer… The one thing you will not hear him talk about is you.”

Here’s Alex Woodward on an extraordinary night in Philadelphia.

Unhinged Trump goes off the rails as Harris focuses on policy in 2024 debate

Inside the Young Republicans debate watch party where there’s a clear message for Trump: Cool it

07:50 , Joe Sommerlad

Several young GOP and independent voters told Katie Hawkinson last night that they hoped their candidate would calm down his rhetoric — even as they plan to vote for him come November.

Young Republicans have a clear message for Trump after the debate: Cool it

Debate reaction: ‘You don’t want a president of the United States who can’t control his mind’

07:30 , Joe Sommerlad

Here’s a quick look at some of the reaction to last night’s debate from America’s pundits.

On CNN, Chris Wallace said the candidates’ clash in Philadelphia was as bad for Trump as his appearance in Atlanta on June 27 was for Joe Biden, adding that Harris had left Trump looking old.

On MSNBC, Joy Reid, relishing every moment, said Trump “got destroyed because he can’t control his mind and you don’t want a president of the United States who can’t control his mind”.

Republican pollster Frank Luntz told the BBC: “This was not Donald Trump’s finest hour” and said he would have graded him a D+ and the Democrat a B-.

And on Trump’s home turf, Fox News, Brit Hume said: “Make no mistake about it, Trump had a bad night.

“We heard so many of the old grievances that we long thought that Trump had learned were not winners, politically.”

Blimey.

Morning Joe hosts mock Vance’s ‘obsession’ with cats after he spreads pet-eating immigrant conspiracy

07:00 , James Liddell

Morning Joe hosts have mocked JD Vance’s cat “obsession” after the Ohio senator pushed a bizarre conspiracy theory that immigrants are stealing and eating pets.

Vance is among the most vocal Republican voices peddling baseless claims that Haitians are roaming across his state to steal, kill, and finally devour cats and other domesticated animals.

“Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio,” Vance wrote on X on Monday.

Morning Joe hosts mock Vance’s ‘cat obsession’ after his pet-eating immigrant rumor

Maga PAC decries Trump-Harris debate as ‘rigged’

05:50 , Mike Bedigan

An email sent out by Maga PAC, a major Trump campaign fundraiser, described the debate as “rigged.”

“Tonight’s ABC debate was nothing short of rigged and a slap in the face to the American people who want to hear how crime and inflation will be tackled- not climate change,” the press release said.

“While Kamala peddled lie after lie, President Trump stood strong for truth and exposed Kamala’s socialist record.”

Biden weighs in on debate: ‘Wasn’t even close’

05:35 , Mike Bedigan

Joe Biden has weighed in on the debate between his Democratic successor and former rival, saying that the result “wasn’t even close.”

“America got to see tonight the leader I’ve been proud to work alongside for three and a half years. Wasn’t even close,” he wrote on X.

“VP Harris proved she’s the best choice to lead our nation forward. We’re not going back.”

Watch: Central Park 5 member confronts Trump face to face at debate

05:25 , Mike Bedigan

CNN poll shows over 60 per cent of voters think Harris performed better that Trump

05:16 , Mike Bedigan

A CNN poll of debate watchers has found that 63 per cent believe that Kamala Harris outperformed Donald Trump on Tuesday night in Philadelphia.

Some 37 per cent favored the former president, according to the poll, which was conducted by SSRS on behalf of the network.

Prior to the debate, the same voters were evenly split on which candidate would perform more strongly, with 50 per cent saying Harris would do so and 50 per cent that Trump would, according to CNN.

The results mark a significant flip from June, when voters who tuned in for the debate between Trump and Joe Biden said, 67 per cent to 33 per cent, that Trump outperformed his Democratic rival.

Analysis: Trump did everything wrong — and gave Harris everything she needs to beat him

05:07 , Mike Bedigan

The vice president gave her opponent everything he needed to doom his debate performance and Andrew Feinberg provides analysis of Donald Trump’s poor showing in Philadelphia.

Read the full analysis here:

Trump did everything wrong – and gave Harris everything she needs to beat him

Watch: Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris following debate

05:01 , Mike Bedigan

Who won the presidential debate?

04:50 , Mike Bedigan

The fiery presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris painted the picture of a scorned former president who wants to return to his era and a hopeful Vice President desperate for a different future.

Ultimately, the former president’s rambling answers, repeated blatant falsehoods and consistent interruption hurt him on Tuesday night.

But who “won”? Ariana Baio investigates:

Who won the presidential debate? Harris laughed, Trump spiraled

Trump himself address reporters in the spin-room

04:47 , Mike Bedigan

From The Independent’s John Bowden on the ground in Philadelphia:

“A stunning moment occurred in the spin room after the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on Tuesday evening as the former president himself made his way to the spin room to address the assembled media covering the night.

“Trump, surrounded on all sides by reporters and a ring of Secret Service agents, came face-to-face with New York City Councilman Yusef Salaam — none other than a member of the Central Park Five, an exonerated group of young men accused and later cleared of murder charges whom the former president had publicly called to be executed in a full-page newspaper ad.

“Two reporters questioned whether Trump had anything to say to Salaam, who stared into the face of the former president as the cameras rolled.

“Trump, with a laughing smile on his face, quipped that Salaam ‘must’ be ‘on my side’ — a remark that drew a startled laugh from not just Salaam but the reporters around him as well, before Salaam said ‘no’ and Trump nodded, still laughing, and turned his back to him.”

Full story: Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris after presidential debate: ‘She fights for the rights and causes I believe’

04:36 , Mike Bedigan

Taylor Swift has officially endorsed Kamala Harris for president, after frenzied speculation from fans.

The pop megastar, who carries enormous sway with younger voters, had not publicly announced who she would be voting for in November, though she has previously backed the Democrats.

Read the full story here:

Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris after presidential debate

Tim Walz reacts to Taylor Swift endorsement

04:17 , Mike Bedigan

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz put his hand over his heart as he was informed Taylor Swift was endorsing him and Kamala Harris.

“I am incredibly grateful to Taylor Swift, and I say that as a cat owner,” he said. “[Her statement] was eloquent and it was clear and that’s the kind of courage we need in this country.”

Taylor Swift officially endorses Harris for president

04:11 , Mike Bedigan

Taylor Swift has officially endorsed Kamala Harris for president.

In a lengthy post on Instagram, the pop megastar said that, having watched Tuesday night’s presidential debate, Harris “fights for the rights and causes I believe.”

In an apparent jab at Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance, Swift signed off her post as: “Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady.”

Gavin Newsom hails ‘a terrible night for Donald Trump’

04:02 , Mike Bedigan

Speaking in the Democrat spin room following the debate, California Governor Gavin Newsom said “there was only one commander in chief onstage.”

“It was a terrible night for donald trump… [and] a great night for democracy,” he told The Independent.

Harris campaign slams Trump as ‘angry and rattled’

03:57 , Mike Bedigan

In a statement released after the debate, the Harris campaign described Donald Trump as “totally incoherent… angry and rattled.”

“Under the bright lights, the American people got to see the choice they will face this fall at the ballot box: between moving forward with Kamala Harris, or going backwards with Trump,” said Harris-Walz Campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon.

“That’s what they saw tonight and what they should see at a second debate in October. Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?”

Trump makes no statement in debate closing statement

03:52 , Mike Bedigan

Donald Trump made no stand-out statement in his closing remarks, instead offering a somewhat rambling rebuttal to Harris’ statement.

The former president claimed thousands of manufacturing jobs had been lost last month under the Biden-Harris administration, made reference to Biden’s alleged ties to China and Ukraine, blasting them (once) again as “crooked.”

On Harris’ policy agenda, he said: “Why hasn’t she done it? She’s been there for three and a half years.”“She should leave right now,” he said, telling Harris to go to the “beautiful” White House and force the president and members of Congress to do it. He closed predicting a third world war without him.

Harris delivers closing remarks

03:45 , Mike Bedigan

Kamala Harris was first to deliver her closing remarks, in which she reiterated her campaign promise that the America was “not going back.”

“So I think you’ve heard tonight, two very different and that is focused on the future, and the other that is focused on the past and an attempt to take us backward,” she said.

“But we’re not going back, and I do believe that the American people know – we all have so much more in common than what separates us and we can chart a new way forward, and a vision of that includes having a plan, understanding the aspirations, the dreams, the hopes, the ambition of the American people.”

Debate moderator slams Trump’s false claim of babies being aborted after birth

03:42 , Mike Bedigan

Former president Donald Trump repeated a familiar false claim that some states allow people to obtain abortions after a baby is born on the debate stage Tuesday evening – a claim that was quickly smacked down by moderator Linsey Davis.

“[Democrats] have abortion in the ninth month,” the former president falsely stated.

Ariana Baio watched the fiery exchange live:

Debate moderator corrects Trump’s false claim babies are aborted after birth

Trump campaign releases ‘victory’ statement before debate with Harris is over

03:36 , Mike Bedigan

The Trump campaign issued a statement “on President Trump’s Debate Victory” before his high stakes debate with Kamala Harris had even finished.

“President Trump delivered a masterful debate performance tonight, prosecuting Kamala Harris’ abysmal record of failure that has hurt Americans for the last 4 years,” read the statement, sent out at 10.29pm – while the candidates were still speaking.

Harris cycles through Trump’s legacy of racist attacks

03:31 , Mike Bedigan

A question about Trump and his allies elevating bogus and racist attempts to undermine her biracial background gave Harris a chance to cycle through his legacy of racist attacks, from a federal lawsuit in the 1970s targeting alleged racial discrimination at Trump housing developments, to his latest statements about the vice president.

The Central Park Five had a speaking slot at the DNC. Trump, in 1989, took out full-page ads after they were falsely accused of raping a jogger with the headline “BRING BACK THE DEATH PENALTY.” Their convictions were vacated in 2002.

Trump also famously amplified a conspiracy theory that Barack Obama was not born in the US, claims that launched his political career. “I think the American people want better than that. Want better than this,” Harris said

Trump quizzed on his previous remarks about Harris’ racial identity

03:27 , Mike Bedigan

Following his controversial remarks made to National Association of Black Journalists in July, Trump was asked if it was appropriate to weigh in on the racial identity of his political opponent.

“I don’t, and I don’t care. I don’t care what she is,” he said. “I don’t care [if] you make a big deal out of something. I couldn’t care less. Whatever she wants to be is okay with me, but those were your words.

“So no, I mean, all I could say is I read somewhere she was not black… and then I read that she was black, and that’s okay, either one was okay with me. That’s up to her.”

Harris, who has previously refused to address the remarks, responded: “Honestly, I think it’s a tragedy that we have someone who wants to be president who has, consistently, over the course of his career, attempted to use race to divide the American people.”

When does the presidential debate end?

03:22 , Mike Bedigan

The candidates have been onstage since 9pm ET (8pm CT).

The debate was expected to last 90 minutes, finishing around 10.30pm ET (9.30pm)… so not long to go now.

Trump rambles on ending the war in Ukraine by sitting down with Putin and Zelensky

03:18 , Mike Bedigan

Asked if he wanted Ukraine to win its war against Russia, Trump replied: “I want the war to stop. I want to save lives… People being killed by the millions. It’s the millions. It’s so much worse than the numbers that you’re getting, which are fake numbers.

He continued: “I know [Ukrainian president Volodymyr] Zelensky very well, and I know [Russian president] Putin very well. I have a good relationship, and they respect your president. Okay? They respect me.

“That is a war that’s dying to be settled. I will get it settled before I even become president, if I win When I’m President Elect, and what I’ll do is I’ll speak to one I’ll speak to the other. I’ll get them together, that war would have never happened.”

“We’re playing with World War Three, and we have a president that we don’t even know if he’s. Where is our president? We don’t even know if he’s a president… they threw him out of the campaign like a dog.”

Responding to the rambling response, Harris said: “First of all, it’s important to remind the former president, you’re not running against Joe Biden, you’re running against me.”

Watch: Donald Trump sasses Kamala Harris for interruption while calling her ‘radical left’

03:15 , Mike Bedigan

Viewers react to debate first half

03:13 , Mike Bedigan

John Logan, a 26-year-old independent voter who attended the DC Young Republicans Watch Party, said he thinks Kamala Harris is winning the debate.

But Logan says he won’t be voting for either candidate.

“I can’t really endorse either candidate fully, not with kamala’s record in her past, and with Trump, the way that he incites people, I can’t support them,” Logan told The Independent.