the first and potentially only debate between vice president Camala Harris and former president Donald Trump held Tuesday night at Philadelphia's National Constitution Center was a dramatic display of political theater and strategic rhetoric as the debate commenced Harris made a notable gesture by crossing the stage to shake Trump's hand setting a formal tone however this civility quickly gave way to a high stakes Clash Harris well prepared aimed to settled Trump by attacking his record in controversial position she criticized Trump's Global standing suggesting that world leaders were mocking him and military leaders had labeled him a disgrace Harris also reminded Trump of his 2020 defeat with President Joe Biden securing a historic 81 million votes casting Trump as out of touch and unaffected Trump's responses were marked by his familiar buzzer and dial effect fact he frequently interrupted asserting controversial claims such as widespread fraud and the 2020 election and bizarre conspiracy theories about migrants in Springfield Ohio allegedly eating pit despite moderator David Mo's Corrections Trump remained adamant reflecting his tendency to cling to misinformation the debate also featured a heated exchange on crime with Trump inaccurately claiming Rising crime rates in the US contrary to FBI data showing a decline he extended his rhetoric to allegations of f FBI corruption and unfounded claims about Democratic efforts to involve undocumented immigrants in voting the abortion debate highlighted the candidates opposing views Harris a strong advocate for Reproductive Rights challenged Trump's position on abortion pointing out the real life impacts of restrictive policies Trump who appointed three Supreme Court Justices responsible for overturning Ro v Wade attempted to moderate his stance by criticizing extreme abortion bans but offended the Court's decision he made misleading claims about State abortion laws and controversial statements by former Governor Ralph noram Harris countered by emphasizing the struggles faced by women under restrictive policies Harris's debate performance was characterized by her tactical approach to baate Trump into revealing his weaknesses and engaging in tangential discussion her comments on Trump's criminal convictions and handling of immigration were designed to provoke tra in turn defensive focusing on his rallies and perceived self-interest rather than debate topic media and public reactions varied with Trump's supporters praising his Defiance sty and Harris's supporters highlighting her substantive critique Polo's leading up to the debate showed a tight race underscoring the Deep divisions in American politics this debate with its contentious exchanges and strategic Maneuvers set the stage for a highly charged electoral contest influencing public opinion and the broader political discourse [Music]