Courtesy of Tori Rich ’28
On Tuesday night, students from all corners of campus packed Coffee Closet, Blue Camel Cafe, the F.R.E.E. Center, and the LGBTQIA+ Center to watch the highly anticipated first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The atmosphere in these venues was electric, with high energy and suspense filling the rooms as students gathered to witness what promised to be a fiery exchange.
The debate opened with an unexpected moment. In a bold move, Harris walked over to Trump’s podium, extended her hand, and confidently introduced herself, “Kamala Harris; let’s have a good debate.” Trump hesitated before reluctantly shaking her hand. The reaction from students watching on campus was immediate, with gasps and cheers following this moment and other key points throughout the debate.
The Economy
Harris kicked off the debate by outlining her vision for an “opportunity economy” designed to benefit “all Americans.” She emphasized policies aimed at helping families, small business owners, and first-time homebuyers, while taking direct shots at Trump’s support for tax cuts for the wealthy and his backing of 20% tariffs. Harris argued that these policies would worsen inflation.
Trump countered by promising to build an even stronger economy than during his first term. However, he frequently diverted the conversation to immigration, making claims about illegal immigrants contributing to crime. His pivot left some students watching visibly confused. Trump also boasted about his pandemic response, stating he didn’t receive enough credit for his efforts.
Abortion
Abortion was another flashpoint. Trump stood firmly behind the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, calling the justices “geniuses” for their work. His claim that democrats support “post-birth abortions,” a widely debunked talking point, was met with disbelief by students watching at Blamel, where a few muttered in disagreement. When asked if he would sign a national abortion ban, Trump dodged the question, instead steering the conversation toward student debt cancellation.
In contrast, Harris did not hesitate to lay the blame for the overturn of Roe squarely on Trump, vowing to reinstate the protections it provided. She framed the issue as one of personal freedom, accusing Trump of stripping women of their rights.
Immigration
The debate heated up further when the topic turned to immigration. Harris accused Trump of blocking a bipartisan congressional effort to pass immigration reform because “he wants to run on a problem, not fix a problem.” Trump fired back with inflammatory remarks, claiming that immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were “eating cats and dogs,” a statement that drew gasps of shock from students watching and has now become a viral meme.
Harris quickly refuted Trump’s claims, pointing out that many republicans and former Trump officials have endorsed her and labeling Trump’s approach as dangerous. This back-and-forth was a highlight for many students, sparking spirited discussions in the coffee shops as viewers debated the validity of Trump’s statements and the feasibility of Harris’ policies.
Energy and Climate
Harris defended her energy policy, explaining how her administration expanded both clean energy and drilling under the Inflation Reduction Act. She stressed the need to invest in green jobs, something she claimed had already been done with the $1 trillion clean energy investment. Trump, however, accused Harris of opposing fracking and wanting to confiscate guns and provide benefits to undocumented immigrants.
When it came to climate change, Trump dismissed the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts, claiming U.S. manufacturers were fleeing the country and China was benefiting.
January 6
As the debate shifted to January 6 and the Capitol riot, the tension in the viewing rooms grew. Harris accused Trump of inciting the violent mob and pointed to his impeachment and indictment as evidence.
Trump, in response, claimed he had told his supporters to march peacefully and placed the blame on Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for the security failures. This exchange left students debating furiously over who bore responsibility for the events of that day, with conversations growing louder in Blamel.
Race
The issue of race added further intensity. Trump doubled down on his previous controversial statement that Harris had “turned Black” and Harris condemned Trump’s rhetoric, emphasizing the need to focus on unity and investment in America rather than stoking division.
Healthcare and Climate
The conversation turned to healthcare, with Harris defending Obamacare and pushing for its expansion. She highlighted the Biden administration’s success in allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices.
Trump, in contrast, admitted he didn’t have a concrete healthcare plan after nine years of promises, though he claimed he had saved Obamacare.
By the time the debate concluded, the air in the coffee shops was still buzzing with excitement and debate. Students lingered long after the candidates left the stage, engaging in discussions that mirrored the intensity they witnessed on screen. Whether it was Harris’ bold opening, Trump’s fiery rebuttals, or the hot-button issues of immigration, abortion, and climate change, this was a night on campus that no one will soon forget.
