There was no love lost between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris last night as the pair faced-off in Philadelphia for their first head-to-head debate since Joe Biden dropped out of the race in July.
Trump landed several digs on the Vice President, including over Israel and his assassination attempt.
However, Harris appeared strong on women’s reproductive rights and she was left giggling after Trump claimed migrants have been eating dogs.
GB News has selected the five best moments from last night with an eye on how they could impact the race to the White House as opinion polls continue to put the pair neck-and-neck.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump clashed in their first debate last night
ABCTrump accuses Harris of fuelling fire ahead of assassination attempt
The ex-President appeared to imply Harris fuelled animosity towards Trump ahead of July’s attempted assassination attempt.
Trump said: “I probably took a bullet to the head because of the things that they say about me.”
He added: “They talk about democracy, I'm a threat to democracy. They're the threat to democracy.”
However, Harris hit back by claiming Trump would “weaponise the Department of Justice” against his political enemies.
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Donald Trump and Kamala Harris didn't hold back
REUTERS
Harris warns dictators will ‘manipulate’ Trump if he returns to White House - ‘Putin eats you for lunch!’
Harris described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “dictator who would eat you [Trump] for lunch”.
The Vice President appeared to concentrate efforts of distinguishing herself with Trump on foreign policy.
She claimed the 45th President would look to give up on defending Ukraine, adding: “Putin would be sitting in Kyiv with his eyes on the rest of Europe.”
Harris also argued: “These dictators and autocrats are rooting for you to be president again because they're so clear they can manipulate you with flattery and favours.”
Firing back, Trump replied: “Putin would be sitting in Moscow [if I was still in the White House], and he wouldn’t have lost 300,000 men and women.”
However, the Kremlin has urged Trump and Harris against naming Putin.
Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Pesko said: “Of course, we noticed that both candidates mentioned our president, mentioned our country.
"Of course, the position is quite clear - the US as a whole, no matter which party the candidates are from, maintains a negative attitude, an unfriendly attitude towards our country.
"Putin's name is used as one of the instruments in the domestic political struggle in the US. We really, really don't like it, and we hope that they will leave our president's name alone."
Vladimir Putin doesn't want his name mentioned by the two candidates
GETTYTrump left red-faced as Harris secures support from 200 Republicans
Harris left Trump in a difficult position last night after highlighting she is being supported by 200 Republicans.
In a stern moment for the Vice President, Harris said: “I actually have the endorsement of 200 Republicans who have formerly worked with President Bush, Mitt Romney, and John McCain.
“His former chief of staff of four star general has said he has contempt for the Constitution of the United States.”
Ex-Vice President Dick Cheney, Trump’s former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham and Mike Pence’s ex-aide Olivia Troye all publicly endorsed Harris' White House bid.
However, Trump does have some support from ex-Democrats.
Tulsi Gabbard, who ran against Joe Biden in the 2020 Democratic Party’s primary race, sits on Trump’s transition team.
Robert F Kennedy Jr is also now working in Trump’s inner circle after dropping out of the race in a boost to the 45th President.
Donald Trump also has the support of some ex-Democrats
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"I was going to send her a MAGA hat!" Trump’s ramps up pressure on Harris for flip-flopping
In an attack against Harris' flip-flopping, Trump claimed he was going to send her a MAGA hat.
“She's going to my philosophy now. In fact, I was going to send her a MAGA hat,” Trump said. “But if she ever got elected, she'd change it.”
The accusations came amid Trump’s claim Harris is a “Marxist”.
Kamala Harris claimed she had the support of 200 big name Republicans
REUTERS
Harris cackles as Trump claims migrants eating dogs and cats
The Vice President was left cackling after Trump spectacularly claimed migrants were eating pets in a city in Ohio.
Trump said: “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats, they’re eating the pets of the people that live there. This is what’s happening in our country.”
ABC moderator David Muir responded by clarifying: “You bring up Springfield, Ohio, and ABC News did reach out to the city manager there.
“He told us there had been no credible reports of specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.”
Springfield Police Division added: “In response to recent rumours alleging criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community."
However, Trump’s running-mate JD Vance doubled-down on the claim.
Vance, who is currently serving as Ohio’s Senator, said: "Many of my constituents have said that has been happening.
"The city manager said there's no verifiable evidence. A lot of residents on the ground have said there is.
“That just means the city manager, I think, isn't in touch with what's going on on the ground there."
The split screen throughout the exchange showed Harris giggling as Trump rambled about migrants.
A screen displays the presidential debate
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However, it is not yet known if the pair will lock horns for another debate ahead of polls opening on November 5.
Trump had urged Harris to agree to further debates but yesterday refused to agree to a second debate.
“We’ll look at it, but they want a second debate because they lost,” Trump told reporters in a surprise visit to the “spin room” after the debate.
He later told Fox News: "I sort of think maybe I shouldn’t do it.”
“I have to think about it, but if you won the debate, I sort of think maybe I shouldn’t do it.
“Why should I do another debate? She immediately said, ‘We want another.’ That’s, you know, what happens when you lose you immediately want to do a rematch.”
Harris campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon said in a statement after the debate: “Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?”
