Former US President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris faced each other in their first presidential debate on Tuesday, sparking a wave of reactions online. The 90-minute debate, hosted by ABC News, covered topics such as the economy, abortion rights, the Israel-Gaza and Russia-Ukraine conflicts, and immigration law. Both Trump and Harris launched sharp attacks on each other’s policies, making it one of the most heated debates of the election season.
Trump accused the Biden administration of mishandling the economy and criticized its foreign policy. Kamala Harris counterattacked, defending the administration’s accomplishments and attacking Trump’s controversial immigration reforms and handling of foreign affairs during his presidency.
As soon as the debate ended, social media platforms were flooded with memes highlighting key moments.
“Americans are watching this debate and realizing we are in the final stages of an empire,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), along with a GIF of Homelander, a character from the popular TV show BoysI was looking disappointed in a room full of people.
Americans watching the debates are realizing we are in the last stages of empire pic.twitter.com/TZgT7oyYJm
— Kira ???? (@kirawontmiss) September 11, 2024
Another wrote: “Oh Kamala is beating that orange guy in this debate,” followed by a clip of American rapper Nicki Minaj clapping.
Oh Kamala is looking at that orange guy in this debate pic.twitter.com/ugEC3KRQLV
— ALV ???? (@AriLuxeVibez) September 11, 2024
A viral collage claims to capture the contrast between Trump and Harris during the debate, showing a confused eyebrow on Trump’s face and a confident smile on Harris’s face. The caption reads, “Debate summary.”
Summary of the debate pic.twitter.com/wKCOuaFONX
— Secular Talk???? (@KyleKulinski) September 11, 2024
“Two days before the debate Republicans are coming out with a cat and dog eating story,” one post read.
Republicans are coming up with a story about cats and dogs eating each other two days before the debate pic.twitter.com/5UDUQgCOOr
— Brandon* (@brndxix) September 11, 2024
The humorous post said, “Whenever Trump lies or dodges a question, shoot him.” It was accompanied by a clip of a drunk man falling down the stairs with a glass of wine in his hand.
“Take aim every time Trump lies or dodges a question”
till the first break I #debate2024 pic.twitter.com/3Yc1qw8gnX
— Emily 🙂 (@Ewobbuffet) September 10, 2024
One response said, “Trump is cooked.”
Trump is caught????????? pic.twitter.com/4EBjMBmXOl
— juju ???? (@ayeejuju) September 11, 2024
See more memes here:
Presidential debates: pic.twitter.com/u1RDxkVmo1
— ໊ (@buffies) September 11, 2024
Trump: “She wants to take away everybody’s guns!”
Kamla: pic.twitter.com/nsjooEKddO
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) September 11, 2024
Pets watching the presidential debate pic.twitter.com/ka0H7kkiQ9
— Devin Walker (@Devin_Walker2) September 11, 2024
Fact checkers arrested the accused just 9 minutes after the incident. #PresidentialDebate pic.twitter.com/Rq896PLMby
— Thor: Nignaroik (@Hossionation) September 11, 2024
Shortly after the debate ended, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris challenged Donald Trump to a second face-to-face. The Harris campaign released an email talking about her performance and criticizing Trump’s answers. Trump responded by saying Harris wanted another debate because she didn’t perform well, and that he would “think about it.”
Meanwhile, the vice presidential debate between Democratic nominee Tim Walz and Republican nominee JD Vance is scheduled for October 1.
