News | September 12th, 2024

Trump and Harris: Battling for America’s Future

By: Jada Pierre

On September 10, 2024, Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris faced off in a heated debate, presenting their visions for America’s future as the 2024 presidential election approaches. Both candidates clashed over key issues, ranging from the economy and immigration to foreign policy and national security.

Harris: A Focus on Economic Equity and National Healing

Vice President Kamala Harris outlined her plan to uplift the working class by proposing a $6,000 tax cut to support young families in purchasing essential items like cribs. Harris framed her economic agenda as one focused on benefiting the middle and lower classes, contrasting it with Trump’s economic policies, which she argued primarily serve the wealthy. Citing Goldman Sachs, Harris claimed Trump’s plans would further harm the economy, resulting in larger deficits and an increased trade imbalance.

Harris was highly critical of Trump’s handling of several national crises, including the pandemic and the January 6th attack on the Capitol. She characterized Trump’s legacy as one marked by the “worst public health epidemic” in a century and the “worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.” Harris underscored her commitment to reinstating Roe v. Wade, positioning herself as a champion of reproductive rights while accusing Trump of supporting extreme abortion bans with no exceptions for rape or incest.

On foreign policy, Harris called for a strengthened focus on alliances, particularly with NATO, while accusing Trump of selling American military technology to China. She emphasized the importance of standing with Ukraine, noting her own efforts in sharing intelligence with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Harris argued that Trump’s admiration for authoritarian leaders makes him vulnerable to manipulation by dictators such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

Trump: Immigration, Crime, and the Economy

Former President Trump leaned heavily into criticisms of the current administration’s handling of the economy and immigration. He claimed the U.S. is experiencing unprecedented levels of inflation. Trump blamed the Biden-Harris administration for allowing millions of criminals to enter the country, which he said disproportionately affects African Americans. Trump declared that he cut taxes substantially during his presidency and created a thriving economy, boasting that the stock market had reached new heights under his leadership, even after the pandemic hit.

Trump consistently brought up his concerns about immigration, stating that millions of migrants—whom he labeled as criminals—are pouring into the country. He vowed to deport 11 million undocumented individuals if re-elected and suggested that Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden had weaponized immigration to “destroy the fabric” of America.

Controversial remarks on race also marked Trump’s debate performance. When asked why he brought up racial components regarding his opponent, he dismissed the question, reflecting on his earlier controversial actions, such as his call for the execution of the Central Park Five and his refusal to rent property to Black families.

Foreign Policy Clash: Israel, Ukraine, and National Security

Trump and Harris had significant differences on foreign policy. Harris reiterated her support for Israel’s right to defend itself but pushed for a ceasefire and a two-state solution to end the Israel-Gaza conflict. Trump, on the other hand, claimed that if he had been in office, the conflict between Gaza and Palestine would have never escalated, asserting that global leaders feared him, thus preventing international disputes.

On the issue of Ukraine, Harris championed her administration’s efforts to support the country’s sovereignty against Russian aggression, while Trump focused on ending the war altogether without picking sides, stating, “I want the war to stop.” Harris condemned Trump’s previous remarks praising Putin’s invasion of Ukraine as “brilliant” and accused him of undermining the role of the U.S. as a global leader.

Debate Insights

Both candidates painted vastly different pictures of the state of the nation. Harris emphasized unity, social justice, and lifting working families. At the same time, Trump focused on a return to the “America First” policies of his presidency, emphasizing border security, a strong economy, and traditional conservative values. With sharp contrasts on nearly every issue, the debate set the stage for a contentious race leading up to the 2024 election.