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A countdown clock over debate moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis shows how much time former President Donald Trump has left to answer a question during Tuesday’s debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.
A countdown clock over debate moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis shows how much time former President Donald Trump has left to answer a question during Tuesday’s debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Michael Le Brecht II/ABC News

In pictures: Harris and Trump face off in presidential debate

Updated 12:41 AM EDT, Wed September 11, 2024
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Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump faced each other in a presidential debate Tuesday at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

It was the first debate between the two nominees, and it came with less than two months to go before Election Day. But it was actually the second presidential debate of this election cycle.

Following a disastrous debate performance in June, President Joe Biden pulled out of the race and threw his support behind Harris, who secured the Democratic Party’s nomination and is looking to become the nation’s first female president.

Trump, who survived an assassination attempt eight days before Biden dropped out, is the Republican Party’s nominee for the third straight election.

Tuesday’s debate was moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis of ABC News. The rules mirrored those used in the Biden-Trump debate. There was no live audience, and, with a few exceptions, the candidates’ microphones were muted while their rival spoke.

Trump talks with Fox News host Sean Hannity after the debate. Trump also spoke with other journalists, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Ftrump-harris-debate-abc-09-10-24%23h_649ba00bcedcb5fa8a12ba1525e045ea">including CNN's Kaitlan Collins</a>. “This was my best debate,” he told Collins as he defended his performance.
Trump talks with Fox News host Sean Hannity after the debate. Trump also spoke with other journalists, including CNN's Kaitlan Collins. “This was my best debate,” he told Collins as he defended his performance.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Harris greets her husband, Douglas Emhoff, after the debate, which took place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
Harris greets her husband, Douglas Emhoff, after the debate, which took place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Trump walks off stage at the end of the debate. Harris and Trump <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Ftrump-harris-debate-abc-09-10-24%23h_151e4fa26d864661756603071c775f83">didn't interact after the debate ended</a>.
Trump walks off stage at the end of the debate. Harris and Trump didn't interact after the debate ended.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Trump speaks during the debate. Just a few months ago, he was debating President Joe Biden.
Trump speaks during the debate. Just a few months ago, he was debating President Joe Biden.
Alex Brandon/AP
The debate is seen on a screen at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, which was the site of the debate "spin room" in Philadelphia. The spin room is where supporters of each candidate put their “spin” on the debate as they talk with journalists.
The debate is seen on a screen at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, which was the site of the debate "spin room" in Philadelphia. The spin room is where supporters of each candidate put their “spin” on the debate as they talk with journalists.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Trump supporter Pat Tuttle watches the debate from Jonathan's Grille in Nashville, Tennessee.
Trump supporter Pat Tuttle watches the debate from Jonathan's Grille in Nashville, Tennessee.
George Walker IV/AP
Harris reenacts the thumbs-down gesture that former Sen. John McCain used to vote against a repeal of the Affordable Care Act in 2017.
Harris reenacts the thumbs-down gesture that former Sen. John McCain used to vote against a repeal of the Affordable Care Act in 2017.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
People attend a debate watch party at the Dew Drop Inn in Washington, DC.
People attend a debate watch party at the Dew Drop Inn in Washington, DC.
Tristen Rouse/CNN
Trump appears on a screen next to the debate's countdown clock.
Trump appears on a screen next to the debate's countdown clock.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Harris averages 49% support across recent polls while Trump stands at 48% in the latest <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Ftrump-harris-debate-abc-09-10-24%23h_7346d56f9c1818fdf4cd768b64fc0a47">CNN Poll of Polls</a>. That average suggests no clear leader in the race.
Harris averages 49% support across recent polls while Trump stands at 48% in the latest CNN Poll of Polls. That average suggests no clear leader in the race.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Harris listens to Trump answer a question on Tuesday. ABC’s rules for the debate stipulated that the other candidate’s microphone would be muted while their opponent spoke. So the candidates often used <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Ftrump-harris-debate-abc-09-10-24%23h_f9c88519e918eda82e972320d6144732">facial expressions to communicate their thoughts</a>. There was also some crosstalk allowed on occasion.
Harris listens to Trump answer a question on Tuesday. ABC’s rules for the debate stipulated that the other candidate’s microphone would be muted while their opponent spoke. So the candidates often used facial expressions to communicate their thoughts. There was also some crosstalk allowed on occasion.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Screens show the debate outside the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York.
Screens show the debate outside the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York.
Adam Gray/Reuters
Harris answers a question during the debate. This was the first time she and Trump had met.
Harris answers a question during the debate. This was the first time she and Trump had met.
Doug Mills/The New York Times/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Trump makes an expression during the debate.
Trump makes an expression during the debate.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
People watch the debate at the Union Pub in Washington, DC.
People watch the debate at the Union Pub in Washington, DC.
Tristen Rouse/CNN
Harris responds to a question. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F09%2F10%2Fpolitics%2Fdebate-takeaways-trump-harris%2Findex.html">She baited Trump repeatedly</a>, peppering nearly every answer with a comment designed to enrage the former president. She said Trump was fired by 81 million voters — the number that voted for President Joe Biden in 2020. “Clearly, he’s having a very difficult time processing that,” she said.
Harris responds to a question. She baited Trump repeatedly, peppering nearly every answer with a comment designed to enrage the former president. She said Trump was fired by 81 million voters — the number that voted for President Joe Biden in 2020. “Clearly, he’s having a very difficult time processing that,” she said.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Sheena Carey laughs as she watches the debate in Milwaukee.
Sheena Carey laughs as she watches the debate in Milwaukee.
Morry Gash/AP
During the debate, Trump <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F09%2F10%2Fpolitics%2Fdebate-takeaways-trump-harris%2Findex.html">painted a dire picture of the United States</a>, reminiscent of the “American carnage” he’d warned of when he was inaugurated in 2017. “We have a nation that is dying,” Trump said Tuesday.
During the debate, Trump painted a dire picture of the United States, reminiscent of the “American carnage” he’d warned of when he was inaugurated in 2017. “We have a nation that is dying,” Trump said Tuesday.
Alex Brandon/AP
People watch the debate on a cross-country flight.
People watch the debate on a cross-country flight.
Christine Rogers/CNN
Harris writes notes during a commercial break.
Harris writes notes during a commercial break.
Alex Brandon/AP
Trump and Harris stand on stage at the start of the debate.
Trump and Harris stand on stage at the start of the debate.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Members of the media watch the debate from the nearby spin room in Philadelphia.
Members of the media watch the debate from the nearby spin room in Philadelphia.
Matthew Hatcher/AFP/Getty Images
Trump and Harris <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Ftrump-harris-debate-abc-09-10-24%23h_757fb811ffaca5661c1454f7675d9cb0">shake hands</a> at the start of the debate. Harris walked over to Trump and extended her hand. He accepted the handshake. Harris introduced herself by name and said, “Let’s have a good debate.” Trump responded: “Nice to see you. Have fun.”
Trump and Harris shake hands at the start of the debate. Harris walked over to Trump and extended her hand. He accepted the handshake. Harris introduced herself by name and said, “Let’s have a good debate.” Trump responded: “Nice to see you. Have fun.”
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Trump rides in a car after arriving at the Philadelphia International Airport on Tuesday.
Trump rides in a car after arriving at the Philadelphia International Airport on Tuesday.
Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
Pro-Palestinian protesters block roads as they rally in front of Philadelphia City Hall on Tuesday.
Pro-Palestinian protesters block roads as they rally in front of Philadelphia City Hall on Tuesday.
Andrew Thomas/AFP/Getty Images
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. talks to the media Tuesday in Philadelphia. Kennedy suspended his independent presidential bid last month, urging his supporters to back Trump.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. talks to the media Tuesday in Philadelphia. Kennedy suspended his independent presidential bid last month, urging his supporters to back Trump.
Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
A car decorated with American flags drives past the metal fencing surrounding the National Constitution Center on Tuesday.
A car decorated with American flags drives past the metal fencing surrounding the National Constitution Center on Tuesday.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Former Trump officials Anthony Scaramucci and Olivia Troye, who both support Harris, talk to reporters in the spin room before the debate.
Former Trump officials Anthony Scaramucci and Olivia Troye, who both support Harris, talk to reporters in the spin room before the debate.
Matt Rourke/AP
Images of Harris and Trump are seen on a screen inside the spin room before the debate.
Images of Harris and Trump are seen on a screen inside the spin room before the debate.
Hannah Beier/Bloomberg/Getty Images
A woman holds Lilly the dog near the National Constitution Center on Tuesday.
A woman holds Lilly the dog near the National Constitution Center on Tuesday.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Law enforcement officers gather across the street from the National Constitution Center on Tuesday.
Law enforcement officers gather across the street from the National Constitution Center on Tuesday.
Matt Slocum/AP
An ABC News banner is assembled as preparations are made in the spin room before the debate.
An ABC News banner is assembled as preparations are made in the spin room before the debate.
Kenny Holston/The New York Times/Redux
Air Force Two, carrying Harris, arrives in Philadelphia on Monday.
Air Force Two, carrying Harris, arrives in Philadelphia on Monday.
Kenny Holston/The New York Times/Redux
Teleprompters are seen in the spin room on Monday.
Teleprompters are seen in the spin room on Monday.
Hannah Beier/Bloomberg/Getty Images

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