Donald Trump claims victory over Kamala Harris as he breaks silence after debate

That's it from us!

That's all from me and our GB News live coverage of the first televised presidential debate.

You can still see all the updates made tonight below and please do vote in our poll to tell us who you think won the debate.

Please check back in tomorrow (today) for the latest US News and reaction to the debate HERE.

JD Vance claims Americans 'too smart to be fooled by Harris'

In a post-debate interview, JD Vance claimed Americans are "too smart to be fooled by Harris" as he pointed to several inconsistencies over her time in office.

He said: "On three issues in particular, I thought Trump was very focused on hammering Kamala Harris on her inconsistencies with her record. What she says now versus what she said even a few weeks ago.

"It was on the border, fracking and defund the police.

"That was clearly what he was most focused on and I think it's not surprising because those are the issues the American people care the most about."

He added: "I think the American people are too smart to be fooled by Kamala-Chameleon pretending to be someone that she's clearly not.

Harris aides pushing for second debate

Aides to Kamala Harris have suggested that they want to have a second debate against Donald Trump following the success last night.

One senior aide to Harris said: "There should be another debate in October."

Tim Walz thanks Taylor Swift for endorsement

Tim Walz has issued his thanks to Taylor Swift for her endorsement as she issued an Instagram post just moments after the debate stopped airing.

Walz said: "I'm grateful to Taylor Swift and I say that as a cat owner.

"That was eloquent and clear and that’s the type of courage we need in America."

Kamala Harris's husband breaks silence following debate

Kamala, every time I think I couldn’t be more proud, you find a way to prove me wrong. And tonight, you showed America why we deserve you as the next President of the United States.

— Doug Emhoff (@DouglasEmhoff) September 11, 2024

'Americans are being forgotten,' Jennifer Ewing tells GB News

'Trump and Harris ignored the elephants in the room,' political commentator claims

A political commentator has claimed that "Trump and Harris ignored the elephants in the room" during tonight's debate.

Drawing attention to a plethora of other issues that voters care about, Dan McMillan said: "Tonight, Trump and Harris traded slogans but ignored the elephants in the room."

He instead highlighted that voters care about the "overpriced, underperforming healthcare system, the Government's $2trillion deficit, the crisis in retirement and elder care, lost social mobility, the shrinking middle class, crumbling infrastructure and inadequate schools."

Barack Obama throws support behind Harris

Tonight, we saw firsthand who has the vision and strength to move this country forward instead of dividing us. @KamalaHarris will be a president for all Americans.

Let's get to work: https://t.co/EuAXRi0gI2

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 11, 2024

Taylor Swift backs Kamala Harris just moments after debate ends

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)

Kamala Harris in disbelief as Trump gaslights her over race: 'I don't care what she is!' 

Kamala Harris appeared to be in disbelief over comments made by Donald Trump in relation to race politics.

The ABC moderator asked: "I want to move on now to race and politics in this country. Mr President, you recently said of Vice President Harris quote, 'I didn't know she was black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn black, and now she wants to be known as black'. I want to ask a bigger-picture question here tonight. Why do you believe it's appropriate to weigh in on the racial identity of your opponent?"

Trump fired back: "I don't and I don't care. I don't care what she is. I don't care. Uh, you make a big deal out of something. I couldn't care less. Whatever she wants to be is okay with me.

"But those were your words, so I don't know, I don't know. I mean, all I can say is I read where she was not black that she put out, and I'll say that. And then I read that she was black, and that's okay. Either one was okay with me. That's up to her. That's up to her."

Appearing baffled by Trump's words, Vice President Harris replied: "I mean, honestly, I think it's a tragedy that we have someone who wants to be President, who has consistently, over the course of his career, attempted to use race to divide the American people.

"You know, I do believe that the vast majority of us know that we have so much more in common than what separates us, and we don't want this kind of approach that is just constantly trying to divide us, and especially by race.

"And let's remember how Donald Trump started. He was a land. He had owned land he owned buildings. And he was investigated because he refused to rent property to black families."

She continued: "This is the same individual who spread bitter lies about the first black president of the United States. And I think the American people want better than that. Want better than this? Want someone who understands as I do. I travel our country. We see in each other a friend. We see in each other, a neighbor.

"We don't want a leader who is constantly trying to have Americans point their fingers at each other. I meet with people all the time who tell me, can we please just have discourse about how we're going to invest in the aspirations and the ambitions and the dreams of the American people knowing that regardless of people's color or the language their grandmother speaks, we all have the same dreams and aspirations and want a president who invests in those not in hate and division."

Texas Governor gives his verdict following first televised debate

Tonight, Kamala Harris proved that now more than ever, we need to elect President Donald Trump.

He'll put America First by delivering on his promises to make America safe, strong, & secure again.

Most importantly, he'll undo the damage created by the failed Biden-Harris Admin.

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 11, 2024

POLL: Who do you think won the US presidential election debate? 

Donald Trump blasts Harris's record in office in closing arguments

Donald Trump has blasted Kalama Harris as "the worst Vice President in the history of our country".

In his closing arguments, Trump focussed on Harris's failings on the economy, military and immigration.

Kamala Harris: 'We need a President that cares about all Americans'

In her closing statement, Kamala Harris vowed to put the American people first.

She said: "The American people know we all have more in common than what separates us.

"I intend to create an opportunity economy. Investing in small businesses, new families, protecting seniors, giving hard-working folks a break and bringing down the cost of living."

She added: "I will be a President that protects our fundamental rights."

Harris and Trump give closing statements

Harris and Trump have begun giving their closing statements after what has turned out to be a rather chaotic debate.

Both candidates have spoken over each other and the ABC moderators have struggled to maintain control.

Kamala Harris calls for strenghtning of affordable care act...Trump has 'concepts of a plan' to refrom healthcare

Kamala Harris has said access to healthcare "should be a right and not just a privilege of those who can afford it".

She added: "And the plan has to be to strengthen the Affordable Care Act."

Earlier in the debate, Trump admitted he has the "concepts of a plan" to reform healthcare but said Obamacare must be replaced.

Donald Trump: 'Where is Biden? Is he alive?'

Donald Trump took a quick swipe at Joe Biden during the debate asking: "Where is our President?!

"We don't even know if he's president! They threw him out of a campaign like a dog…We have a president that doesn't know he's alive!"

Donald Trump tells Harris to 'quiet please' after interrupting answer

Donald Trump hit back at Kamala Harris, telling her to "quiet please" after she claimed Putin would be “sitting in Kyiv” if Trump were President.

Hitting back, He said the war would have never happened on his watch. Although Harris's mic was muted at the time, she appeared to interject.

Trump quickly shut down the rebuttal saying: “Quiet, please.”

BREAKING: Police arrests protesters near presidential debate venue

Police have been mobilised in Philadelphia as they have moved to arrest protesters outside the debate venue.

Protesters were seen being bundled into the back of a police van and police in riot gear

Donald Trump says Kamala Harris hates Israel

The ABC moderator asked: "President Trump, how would you negotiate with Netanyahu and also Hamas in order to get the hostages out and prevent the killing of more innocent civilians in Gaza?"

Trump went off on a furious rant: "If I were President, it would have never started. If I were president, Russia would have never, ever.

"I know Putin very well. He would have never. And there was no threat of it either, by the way, for four years have gone into Ukraine and killed millions of people.

"When you add it up far worse than people understand what's going on over there. But when she mentions about Israel, all of a sudden she hates Israel.

"She wouldn't even meet with Netanyahu when he went to Congress to make a very important speech. She refused to be there because she was at a sorority party of hers.

"She wanted to go to the sorority party. She hates Israel. If she's President, I believe that Israel will not exist within two years from now. And I've been pretty good at predictions, and I hope I'm wrong about that one. She hates Israel at the same time, in her own way she hates the Arab population because the whole place is going to get blown up.

"Arabs, Jewish people, Israel, Israel will be gone. It would have never happened. Iran was broke under Donald Trump.

"Now Iran has $300billion because they took off all the sanctions that I had. Iran had no money for Hamas or Hezbollah or any of the 28 different spheres of terror.

"And they are spheres of terror, horrible terror. They had no money. It was a big story. And you know it. You covered it very well, actually.

"They had no money for terror. They were broke. Now they're a rich nation. And now what they're doing is they're spreading that money around.

"Look at what's happening with the Houthis and Yemen. Look at what's going on in the Middle East. This would have never happened. I will get that settled and fast, and I'll get the war with Ukraine and Russia ended. If I'm President-elect, I'll get it done before even becoming President."

Donald Trump: 'I took a bullet to the head because of what [Kamala Harris] said about me'

Donald Trump has claimed he "took a bullet to the head" over comments made by Kamala Harris.

Speaking on the weaponization of the Department of Justice, Kamala Harris said: "Well, let's talk about extreme and understand the context in which this election in 2024 is taking place.

"The United States Supreme Court recently ruled that the former President would essentially be immune from any misconduct if he were to enter the White House again.

"Understand this is someone who has openly said he would terminate, I'm quoting, terminate the Constitution of the United States, that he would weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies.

"Someone who has openly expressed disdain for members of our military.

"Understand what it would mean if Donald Trump were back in the White House with no guardrails because certainly, we know now the court won't stop him.

"We know JD Vance is not going to stop him. It's up to the American people."

Trump interjected: "[Kamala] is the one that weaponized, not me. She weaponized.

"I probably took a bullet to the head because of the things that they say about me. They talk about democracy.

"I'm a threat to democracy. They're the threat to democracy with a fake Russia, Russia, Russia investigation."

Donald Trump washes hand of Capitol riots

Donald Trump has refused to answer a question on whether he played a part in the January 6 riots.

He continued his rant about offering 10,000 National Guard to Speaker Pelosi.

Trump continued by riffing on how he really won in the 2020 election.

Former Margaret Thatcher aide brands Kamala Harris 'far Left threat to future of US'

My former boss Margaret Thatcher would have viewed Kamala Harris as an unprincipled open borders socialist politician, a far Left threat to the future of the United States.

The Iron Lady would have warned the American people against Harris’s incredibly dangerous agenda.

— Nile Gardiner (@NileGardiner) September 11, 2024

Donald Trump sends Kamala into hysterics as he claims migrants are eating American public's dogs

Donald Trump has sent Kamala Harris into a fit of laughter as he issued a chilling immigration warning and claimed migrants are eating the American public's dogs.

He said: "What they [Biden and Harris] have done to our country by allowing these millions and millions of people to come into our country and look at what's happening to the towns all over the United States.

"And a lot of towns don't want to talk. Not going to be Aurora or Springfield. A lot of towns don't want to talk about it because they're so embarrassed by it.

"In Springfield, they're eating the dogs. The people that came in, they're eating the cats.

"They're eating, they're eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what's happening in our country."

ABC's debate moderator jumped in to say: "Just want to clarify here. You bring up Springfield, Ohio, and ABC News did reach out to the city manager there.

"He told us there have been no credible reports of specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community."

WATCH NOW: Donald Trump calls Kamala Harris a Marxist

Donald Trump has branded Kamala Harris as a "marxist".

In a furious row over the economy, Trump said "just like her father", Harris was a "marxist".

He said: "She has no policy. Everything that she believed three years ago and four years ago is out the window.

"She's going to my philosophy now. In fact, I was going to send her a Maga hat. She's gone to my philosophy, but if she ever got elected, she changed it. And it will be the end of our country.

"She's a Marxist. Everybody knows she's a Marxist. Her father is a Marxist professor in economics, and he taught her well.

"But when you look at what she's done to our country, and when you look at these millions and millions of people that are pouring into our country monthly, where it's, I believe, 21 million people, not the 15 that people say, and I think it's a lot higher than the 21 that's bigger than New York State pouring in.

"And just look at what they're doing to our country. They're criminals. Many of these people coming in are criminals, and that's bad for our economy."

Kamala Harris invites voters to attend Trump rallies in bizarre turn

Kamala Harris has invited voters to attend a Trump rally in a bizarre turn.

She said: "It's a really interesting thing to watch."

"People start leaving his rallies early out of exhaustion and boredom.

"You will not hear him talk about you and your needs."

Trump hit back: "People start leaving? People don't even go to your rallies. She pays people to be there.

"People want to take their country back."

Harris highlights Trump abortion bans in 20 states

Kamala Harris has hit back at Donald Trump over his stance on abortion rights.

She said: "Donald Trump should not be telling women what to do with their bodies."

She added: "Understand if Donald Trump is elected he will sign a national abortion ban."

Trump quipped back: "There she goes again. It's a lie. I'm not signing a ban."

Second Question: 'Why should they trust you on abortion rights?'

Donald Trump has been asked why voters should trust him on abortion rights.

Launching into a tirade over Roe v. Wade, Trump said abortion rights have "torn our country apart".

FIRST QUESTION: 'Do you believe Americans are better off now than they were four years ago?'

The first question in tonight's debate is on the US economy.

Trump has repeatedly asked voters whether they feel they are better off now than they were 4 years ago.

Harris began the debate by speaking on her history and how Americans have been impacted.

Trump then took over by saying the economy has not only been a "disaster" for the middle class - but all classes. He went on to speak about the impact of illegal migration.

In a rebuttal, Harris slammed Trump saying he left the US in the worst unemployment since the Great Depression.

Debate begins: Kamala Harris greets Donald Trump on stage

Bookies have a clear favorite to win tonight's debate...

Multiple betting markets have already established who they think will emerge as the clear favourite to win tonight's debate.

Traders on Polymarket gave Harris a 75 per cent chance of winning the debate, compared to Trump's odds of just 25 per cent.

BetUS also favoured the Democrat over the Republican with implied probabilities of 68.75 per cent to 39.22 per cent.

However, despite the debate odds favouring Harris, Trump is still tipped to win the election overall.

What are Americans' top election issues?

The US election in November is likely to revolve around a few core topics, but primarily voters will be most concerned about immigration, the economy and the cost of living crisis.

Within the economy, voters have also expressed their concerns about inflation, taxes, house prices, jobs, government spending and healthcare.

The federal government is projected to run a $1.9trillion budget deficit in the current fiscal year with the cost of servicing the national debt, which passed $35trillion for the first time earlier this year, having risen due to elevated interest rates.

Donald Trump warned of 'tough challenge'

Donald Trump has been warned of his "toughest challenge" as he prepares to face election rival Kamala Harris in their first live televised head-to-head debate tonight.

Detailing her predictions ahead of the Trump-Harris debate, US Journalist Kelly Jane Torrance claimed that Trump faces a "tough challenge" against the Democrat candidate, and the media will be on the hunt for "any disrespect" he gives Harris.

Torrance told GBN America: "He's going to have a tough challenge here, because he had some issues debating Hillary Clinton."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside debate venue

A crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters have gathered outside the debate venue.

The protesters were seen wielding placards demanding a ceasefire and calling for an arms embargo on Israel.

Kamala Harris facing 'biggest test' in debate as Trump prepares to 'lay blows'

Kamala Harris has been issued a stark warning as she prepares to face election rival Donald Trump in their first head-to-head debate tonight.

Detailing his predictions ahead of the live televised debate, GBN America correspondent Steven Edginton said this was a "crucial moment" in the election battle and will allow both Harris and Trump to play out their policies "on the national stage".

Steven explained: "This is a crucial moment in the presidential election ahead of November 5. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have never actually met in person, despite Kamala Harris being Vice President for four years.

"So this is going to be a very interesting moment for both candidates."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Donald Trump branded 'danger to national security' by top US generals

Donald Trump has been branded a “danger to national security” by a group of retired generals ahead of his head-to-head debate with Kamala Harris tonight.

Ex-General Larry Ellis and retired Rear Admiral Michael Smith were among the former military chiefs to criticise Trump for his “role in putting service members in harm’s way”.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Joe Biden: 'Harris is calm cool and collected'

President Joe Biden has confirmed he has spoken to Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the debate tonight.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Biden said: "I spoke to the Vice President. She seems cool, calm and collected.

"I think she's going to do great."

Will Joe Biden attend debate tonight?

Joe Biden has announced he will not attend the debate tonight and instead will be watching it on his television.

Speaking outside the White House, Biden told Fox News: "I'm going off to my granddaughter's birthday in New York.

"Then we're going to watch the debate. Then tomorrow I'm doing 9/11"

PICTURED: Robert F Kennedy Jr spotted at debate after suspending campaign in several states

Trump official MOCKS Harris's tiny debate podium

A Trump campaign official has mocked Kamala Harris's small podium after her team feared she would look tiny next to Trump if the podium's were the same size.

The offical jibed that it “looks like the kids table” at Thanksgiving.

WATCH: GB News' US correspondent Steven Edginton gives his take ahead of Trump v Harris debate

Kamala Harris to use smaller podium than Trump to 'appear same size' 

Kamala Harris is set to use a slightly smaller podium during tonight's debate than her Republican rival Donald Trump.

Harris's team reportedly requested the move amid fears that she would look tiny next to the former President.

By shrinking the podium, Harris hopes it will make her appear 'the same size' as Trump while the candidates are presented on the televised split screen.

Axios reports that the height difference between the candidates is one of the largest among US presidential nominees with Trump standing at 6’3’’ while Harris stands at just 5’4’’.

Crowds gather near site of debate

A crowd has gathered near the site of the US presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

Republican Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris prepared to meet for the first time on Tuesday night in their only scheduled debate of the US presidential campaign, a key moment in a close-fought contest.

The nationally televised debate beginning at 9pm ET (0200 BST, Wednesday) takes place just eight weeks before the November 5 election, and days before early voting will start in some states.

Presidential debates do not necessarily change voters' minds, but they can transform the dynamics of a race.

Biden's performance against Trump in June was so damaging that it eventually led him to abandon his campaign.

IN PICTURES: Donald Trump lands in Philadelphia ahead of debate

IN PICTURES: Donald Trump lands in Philadelphia ahead of debate

IN PICTURES: Donald Trump lands in Philadelphia ahead of debate

Donald Trump has arrived in Philadelphia ahead of tonight's presidential election debate against Kamala Harris.

The event marks the first televised debate between the pair in this year's election cycle.