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In a rare moment of consensus, several conservative pundits publicly agreed that Vice President Kamala Harris outperformed former President Donald Trump during their presidential debate in Philadelphia. While Trump tried to dominate the stage, Harris’ strategic approach and ability to provoke defensive responses left even his own party’s commentators unimpressed.
‘Trump Had a Bad Night’
Fox News host Brit Hume set the tone for the post-debate analysis, declaring outright, “Trump had a bad night.” Hume pointed out that Trump’s performance felt like a rehash of past grievances, which have been political liabilities for him. “We just heard so many of the old grievances that we all know aren’t winners politically,” Hume remarked, emphasizing that Trump’s familiar talking points fell flat in this critical setting.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a frequent Trump critic and ABC News commentator, echoed Hume’s assessment, describing Trump as being outmaneuvered by Harris throughout the night. “She was exquisitely well-prepared,” Christie observed, adding that Trump “chased every rabbit down every hole,” falling into the traps Harris set for him.
Christie didn’t mince words when it came to Trump’s preparation—or lack thereof. “Whoever prepared Donald Trump should be fired. He was not good tonight at all,” he said, underscoring a broader concern among conservative voices that Trump’s debate team failed him.
Harris Pushes Trump Off-Balance
Harris, who came into the debate with a plan to unsettle Trump, was praised for her ability to get under his skin. She hit Trump on multiple fronts, including mocking the size and excitement of his rallies and bringing up his controversial calls for the execution of the Central Park Five—an issue that still haunts Trump’s legacy.
One of Harris’ sharpest moments came when she questioned Trump’s mental fitness and claimed that world leaders mock him behind his back. Trump, visibly agitated, veered off-topic, defending his rally attendance numbers with a response that many saw as disconnected from the broader debate themes.
“We have the biggest rallies, the most incredible in the history of politics,” Trump shot back, straying from his usual talking points on immigration and the economy. The comment drew criticism for its irrelevance, with many pundits noting how easily Harris baited Trump into defending his ego rather than policy.
The Bizarre Moment: Migrants and Pets
The most peculiar moment of the night came when Trump brought up debunked claims about migrants in Springfield, Ohio, allegedly eating pets. “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, they’re eating the cats, they’re eating the pets of the people that live there,” Trump said, a statement that immediately drew scrutiny.
ABC News debate moderator David Muir quickly intervened, noting that there was no evidence to support Trump’s claims. Muir cited Springfield’s city manager, who had previously denied the existence of any such incidents. This odd comment from Trump only added to the general consensus that his performance was riddled with inaccuracies and off-the-wall assertions.
Conservatives Call Out Trump’s Missteps
Even Trump’s loyalists found themselves criticizing his performance. Conservative radio host Erick Erickson took to X (formerly Twitter) to offer his blunt opinion: “Trump lost the debate, and whining about the moderators doesn’t change it.” Erickson pointed out that Trump’s defeat had little to do with the behavior of the moderators and everything to do with his own performance. “He lost because of his own performance while his lips were moving, not theirs,” Erickson added.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) was similarly critical, reportedly calling the debate a “disaster” and suggesting that Trump’s debate team needed to be overhauled. According to Tim Miller of The Bulwark, Graham felt that Trump was woefully unprepared for the debate and that his team had let him down.
Conclusion: Harris Emerges Victorious
For many conservative pundits, Trump’s chaotic and defensive performance sealed his fate in this debate. Harris’ ability to remain composed and exploit Trump’s weaknesses earned her praise across the board. As the election season heats up, this debate will likely be remembered as a pivotal moment—one where Harris demonstrated her readiness and Trump revealed his vulnerabilities.
