Tonight, Vice President Harris was optimistic, strong, and presidential as she offered her vision for a New Way Forward for all Americans. Meanwhile, Donald Trump was angry, weak and focused on himself.
You don't have to take our word for it. Reporters, analysts, and elected officials - right, left, and center - agree: Vice President Harris was the clear winner of tonight's debate.
Take a look at what they're saying:
On The Airwaves:
On CNN's Special Coverage, Chris Wallace: "Kamala Harris pitched a shutout on almost every subject I can think of. She shut down Trump on abortion. She shut Trump down January 6 and democracy. She shut him down on national security. […] [Vice President Harris] made the point that she is the candidate of change, and we need to turn the page from a decade of division and polarization. On substance, I think she pitched a shutout, and I think she did on style as well. I mean, the image of the debate to me is she's there happy, smiling, expressive, shaking her head in dismay at things Trump was saying. And Trump looked angry, scowling. She was looking directly at the audience. He was looking at the moderators and arguing with them. And something else- Donald Trump looked old tonight."
On ABC's Special Coverage, Chris Christie:"She was exquisitely well prepared. She laid traps and he chased every rabbit down every hole instead of talking about the things that he should have been talking about. […] He was - he was not good tonight at all. And what Harris did was what she had to do, which was to prove that she belonged on that stage. She has a voice that wants to try to unite the country and Donald Trump spent more time talking about people eating pets, people at his rallies and whether he had more or less, than he did about the economy and that is a huge fail tonight."
On Fox News' Special Coverage, Brit Hume: "Look, make no mistake about it, Trump had a bad night. He rose to the bait repeatedly when she baited him, something I am sure his advisors had begged him not to do. In the first debate, when Biden attacked him, he kept his cool and kept going. In this debate, he rose to the bait. And we heard so many of the old grievances that we'd long thought Trump had learned were not winners politically, and there they all were… She came out of this in pretty good shape… for tonight, at least, this was her night."
On Fox News' Special Coverage, Bret Baier:"Vice President Harris was clearly well-prepared, practiced, on the offensive much of the night. Former President Trump did take a lot of the bait she threw out."
On Fox News' Special Coverage, Harold Ford Jr.: "[Vice President Harris] conveyed the calm, she conveyed a preparation. […] Finally, she was tenacious on Russia. She had clarity about the future of the country. He was a little too gloomy… and when asked I saw around the table, I've never heard Donald Trump not be definitive about a set of plans. He said, 'I have concepts of a plan.' Here we are 56 days from an election, you've been president before. He's got to recover from this."
On MSNBC's Special Coverage, Chris Hayes: "It was by far the best debate performance against Donald Trump ever by anyone."
On MSNBC's Special Coverage, Rachel Maddow: "I've never seen a starker contrast in presentation from two candidates in any debate, in any type of contest, in any political race."
On MSNBC's Special Coverage, Nicolle Wallace:"She didn't just prevail in every exchange, she prevailed at the humaning."
On MSNBC's Special Coverage, Lawrence O'Donnell: "It may very well be the best televised debate performance ever. I can't think of a better one."
On CNN's Special Coverage, Van Jones:"She just whooped him. […] People have wanted to see somebody put this bully in his place. […] She got up there and she put him in his place. She baited him and then she spanked him. She baited him and then she spanked him. And not only did she pass the commander-in-chief test, he failed it. He failed it. […] Kamala Harris did something great for every parent in America, she put the bully in his place."
On MSNBC's Special Coverage, Joy Reid:"The look that was on Vice President Harris' face… the look said pity, she looked like she pitied him and kept looking at him like 'are you okay?' She finally said I think you are having a hard time connecting with reality. Donald Trump got destroyed in this debate because he can't control his mind and you don't want a president of the United States that is not in full control of his mind."
On MSNBC's Special Coverage, Alex Wagner:"She knew who she was making a case to, and to me it felt like she was making a case to moderates and Republicans. Like over and over again, she was speaking in language that was, I think, welcoming to people that might still be on the fence and even on the most incendiary topics, right? The issues of race and identity, she talked about uniting the country, rather than sort of taking Trump's bait and talking about, you know, the politics of the personal. […] I was really struck by the kind of, the welcoming and sort of involved nature of her responses."
On MSNBC's Special Coverage, Former Senator Claire McCaskill: "What the American people watched was her going toe to toe with him and owning him. From the moment she walked out… I think she demonstrated how good she will be going toe to toe with the bad guys in the world because she did a really good job going toe to toe with this guy."
On CNN's Special Coverage, Gov. Josh Shapiro:"Kamala Harris wiped out that brain fog and reminded people of the chaos of Donald Trump, reminded them that he ripped away people's fundamental freedoms, particularly the freedom for millions of women across this country to just make decisions over their own body. She reminded them that, here in Pennsylvania, he wants to take away health care from 1.2 million of my fellow Pennsylvanians. She reminded him that he really has no plan on the economy. And she reminded him just how- reminded people just how nonsensical he is, how divisive he is, how his rhetoric seeks to create others in our society and divide people instead of lifting everybody up. And I thought she made clear she wants to be a president for all Americans, laid out her vision, laid out her plans, and I thought she had a great night."
On NBC's Special Coverage, Gov. Gavin Newsom:"He was on the defensive from day one, she won the debate. If the purpose tonight was to win the debate, to show she's a commander in chief, to show she has character and temperance, to show that she can take on a bully like Donald Trump and put him on the defense, so she can take on the dictators around the rest of the globe and lead this nation. I think she did it. She also did this. She talked about all of us, not just some of us. The best parts of the debate were at the end, when she was talking about the issues of race and talking about moving away from divisiveness and talking down to people, past people, and the fact that we're all in this together. We're all better off. We're all better off. It was a fantastic night."
On ABC's Special Coverage, Cedric Richmond: "I think voters deserve to know the candidates that they're voting for, and I think she did an excellent job tonight, talking about not only her values, but talking about her plan for the American people, and I think that was the big difference tonight. She focused on how do I help Americans dealing with several challenges - the challenges of child care, the challenges of affordable housing, the challenges of rising grocery prices - and I think she addressed all of that, and I think the American people are giving her a fresh look and I think she did an excellent job."
On ABC's Special Coverage, Donna Brazile:"I think it was one of the best debate performances I've ever seen in my life and I've seen a lot and I've helped a lot of people prepare for these big moments. She met the moment. She seized the opportunity to tell the American people what she would do during her four years. She commanded the issues and she did not allow the former president to bait her. Instead she led the way forward. She turned the page."
Online:
Adam Kinzinger: This is a blowout. Harris makes Trump look like a joke, which he is
Olivia Troye: Perfectly delivered. He was angry. This is who he is and how he behaves…
Frank Luntz: Nevertheless, Kamala trapped Trump into whining about his own problems instead of discussing how he'll solve America's problems. He has zero discipline. #Debate2024
Former RNC Chair Michael Steele: He's rambling. He's off topic (and that's saying something). He's grimacing. He's agitated. He's defensive. He's frustrated. He still hasn't looked at her. #PresidentialDebate2024
Bernard Goldberg: She's talking to moderate undecided voters - and I think it's working.
Stuart Stevens: If you were a Reagan Republican, there is one choice in this election. Harris is the only pro-American candidate.
Erick Erickson: Trump lost the debate and whining about the moderators doesn't change it. He didn't lose because of their behavior. He lost because of his own performance while his lips were moving, not theirs.
Anthony Scaramucci: We all saw the stark contrast tonight. An unhinged wannabe autocrat, and a candidate who cares about the American people and America's role in the world. Please support the Harris-Walz campaign by contributing here. The stakes could not be higher https://secure.kamalaharris.com/a/socal-bvf-2?attr=112923189
Taylor Popielarz: One House Republican who supports Trump texts me this about the debate: "This could be going a lot better, poor performance so far for our side. Disappointing."
Will Ragland: Brit Hume: "Make no mistake about it. Trump had a bad night." "This was pretty much her night."
Tim Miller: Just spoke with Lindsey Graham in the spin room he said the debate team should be fired and Trump was unprepared. "disaster"
Katherine Doyle: A Trump ally watching the debate tonight told @NBCNews that Trump "is angry" and that Harris got under his skin, while a separate fundraiser for Trump simply said: "I changed the channel. Too much to watch."
Olivia Beavers: Debate reaction from a House Republican: "She has gotten his goat. He is on the border of looking angry."
Alyssa Farah Griffin: As predicted, Trump begins to meltdown at roughly the 15 minute mark. He is not the candidate he was in '16 or '20.
Bill Scher: Kamala Harris won the Afghanistan exchange. I am stunned.
Mike Madrid: She looks Presidential. More importantly she looks like a different kind of President. Empathetic. Competent. Capable. Reasonable.
Jon Favreau: Extremely powerful answer on abortion from Kamala Harris. Wow.
David Axelrod: That whole abortion sequence was kind of a knockout [for] @KamalaHarris. No good answers for Donald Trump.
Susan Glasser: Harris' answer on abortion is the best debate answer I've ever seen her give
Tom Bonier: The VP's answer to this abortion question is one of the most powerful moments I've seen in a presidential debate.
Heidi Przybyla: Trump not answering whether he will veto a national abortion ban. That's a headline.
Adrian Carrasquillo: Harris very strong on abortion with vivid and visceral imagery of horrible situations that can happen to women now post-Dobbs. She found her stride there
Hugo Lowell: Trump sounds like he's on defense on abortion - Harris gave a tough common-sense argument, Trump has to deflect to say she's lying, and then didn't give a firm answer on whether he would veto a national abortion ban
John Bresnahan: […] Harris is clearly rattling Trump here
Chris Hayes: Real roller coaster of a train of thought on that last one on student loans from Trump.
Greg Sargent: Trump is on the defensive. Lying about Project 2025 and dissembling about 2020.
Jon Ralston: Harris seems to be having a good time, Trump went from low energy to angry Trump.
Janet Johnson: She's rattling him.
Patrick Gaspard: VP Harris is speaking about the future with details and contrasts. Right out of the gate. She's sharing her actual policy plans. Donald Trump is mired in the distant past. He's reverted to ad hominem attacks. And denying his obvious connections to Project 2025.
Rachel Bade: Man, Kamala killing it - and knows it. smiling, looking at trump, etc. Trump looks v angry. won't look at her at all.
Jen Psaki: Fell into the trap on the rally size…who would have thought it (everyone given he is obsessed)
Dan Pfieffer: There is an hour to go, but Kamala Harrris is systematically eviscerating Trump
Abby Phillip: So far, this debate has been characterized by Kamala Harris dropping a lot of bait and Trump eagerly picking it up and rhetorically wandering around the room.
Jake Lahut: oh, Trump's mad fr fr now
Jim Sciutto: A greatest hits of debunked Trump claims.
Matt Fuller: So was his strategy to just yell through this?
Christina Reynolds: Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people. … And clearly he's having a hard time processing that. Kamala Harris, continuing to win the debate.
Sarah Matthews: @KamalaHarris is delivering a masterclass in throwing Trump off his game by baiting him with topics that trigger him (crowd size, Republican endorsements, etc.). She's crushing this debate and he seems to be completely rattled.
Greg Sargent: Really critical that one of the last things voters will hear tonight is Harris' plans to help small businesses, a child tax credit, and assistance for first-time homebuyers
Eriq Gardner: I see a lot of conservatives complaining about ABC, which I guess says something about who is perceived as losing the debate
Mychael Schnell:Debate reax from a House Republican who backs Trump: "I'm just sad."
"She knew exactly where to cut to get under his skin. Just overall disappointing that he isn't being more composed like the first debate. The road just got very narrow. "This is not good," they told @thehill
Pete Buttigieg: All night he talked about himself and about her. She, by contrast, talked about you. Because that's who she works for.
Governor Roy Cooper: We just watched Donald Trump come slowly unraveled. He was angry and incoherent. Kamala Harris was focused and presidential. He defended dictators. She defended democracy. He ranted while she laid out clear plans for lower costs, more freedom and a new way forward. - RC
Governor JB Pritzker: Lie after lie, Donald Trump is flailing his way through this debate.
Governor Wes Moore: Tonight @KamalaHarris showed that she is the leader we need. A leader who can prosecute the case against Donald Trump and his dangerous Project 2025 agenda and puts American families, service, and country above self. The choice could not be more clear. We are not going back.
Governor Maura Healey:
Grow our economy
Lower costs for the middle class
Protect women's access to health care
This debate made clear: Kamala Harris cares about you, Donald Trump cares about himself.
We aren't going back. Now let's win this thing
@kamalaharris!
Senator Elizabeth Warren: Trump has spent his career looking out for himself & other billionaires. VP Harris has devoted herself to public service-fighting for justice, for working people who've been cheated, & for basic freedoms like abortion rights. Tonight, the American people will see that contrast.
Senator Ed Markey: No surprise: Trump lies.
Senator Mark Kelly: Just listen to this guy. He shouldn't be commander in chief again. And he doesn't have to be: let's turn the page and move this country forward with @KamalaHarris.
Senator Tina Smith: This debate is a live look at a flailing, dangerous man. That's why 81 million Americans fired him.
Senator Tim Kaine: Tonight's debate made it very clear @KamalaHarris is ready to stand up and fight for the rights and freedoms of the American people-and that Donald Trump is unfit to be President for the most important office in the land.
Senator Amy Klobuchar: Instead of focusing on herself after Trump's comments on her race, Harris goes big: Americans do not want a leader who is trying to get Americans to constantly point fingers at each other. What unites us is so much bigger than what divides us.
Senator Alex Padilla: Incoherent rambling about people eating pets. Complaining about crowd sizes. Incessant lying. Nothing about how this man conducts himself is fitting for a President.
Leader Hakeem Jeffries: Donald Trump is old, tired and falling apart mentally. This guy is not fit to hold office.
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar: Kamala Harris wants to give middle class families tax cuts so they can live out the America Dream. Donald Trump wants to continue his tax cuts for the ultra wealthy and his rich friends.
Congresswoman Norma Torres: @KamalaHarris just laid out her plan for an economy that works for everyone: cutting costs for families, lowering housing prices, and tax cuts for 100M+ Americans. Meanwhile, Trump's tax breaks for the wealthy and tariffs will hurt working families. The contrast is clear.
Congressman Robert Garcia: Donald Trump was angry, incoherent, and could not contain his anger. He showed us who he is: an unhinged and sad man with no real plan for the future. We are not going back.
Congressman Jim Clyburn: Less than 10 minutes into the debate and Trump has already lied about his knowledge of Project 2025. The American people know the truth
Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan: Trump is unhinged.
Congressman Adriano Espaillat: This side-by-side makes the choice crystal clear: Kamala Harris is the only way forward. #Debate2024
Congressman Diana DeGette: Donald Trump's constant lies highlight that he's not the leader we deserve.
Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia: Donald Trump has no regrets about January 6th, the greatest attack on our democracy-an attack that he caused and put me and my colleagues in danger. We can't forget, and we won't let it happen again. #Debate2024
Congressman Jim McGovern: And if you listen to @KamalaHarris, you'll hear VP Harris talking about delivering for the middle class and restoring freedoms for all Americans. The choice is clear!
Congressman Ro Khanna: Harris clearly won the debate. She came across as future oriented and Presidential.
Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester: Tonight, @KamalaHarris showed us exactly who she is: Madam President. We are not going back.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer: Tonight, we saw a serious leader who will work day in and day out to make your lives better take on a man who leads with revenge and chaos. The choice is clear. If you're in, make a donation now, and let's elect @KamalaHarris to be our next President.
Congressman Jimmy Gomez: .@KamalaHarris just dismantled Donald Trump point by point and delivered a new way forward for America - one that will lower costs, give everyone an opportunity to buy a home, and help small business owners. #Debatenight #DebatePresidencial2024
State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta: Vice President Harris did something that was very hard, so incredibly well. She consistently talked about her vision for the future, while powerfully calling out Trump's lies, confusion, and misrepresentations. Tonight was a tour-de-force.
Mayor Regina Romero: The difference is clear between candidates. On national television we have a rambling felon who does not understand how pregnancy works & an experienced prosecutor, Senator & now Vice President who trusts women to make choices over their own bodies. #HarrisWalz2024 #Debate2024
Mayor Andre Dickens: VP Harris @VP is putting on a master class on baiting and beating a narcissist. He's now talking about rallies, dogs, and his books. Trump is cooked.
