Vice President Kamala Harris didn’t hold back when she went head-to-head with Donald Trump during their debate. From calling out his lies to challenging his record, Harris made it clear that she wasn’t here to play. After enduring personal attacks and divisive rhetoric throughout the campaign, many believed Harris was giving Trump exactly what he deserved. Here are seven standout moments where Harris shut Trump down and left him fumbling for a response.
- “First of all, you’re not running against Joe Biden—you’re running against me.”
As Trump repeatedly took jabs at President Biden, Harris reminded him of the real competition. With this line, she made it clear that she was a force to be reckoned with, repositioning herself as his direct opponent in the debate and making sure the focus stayed on her.
- “You’re about to hear the same tired lies, grievances, and name-calling.”
Right from the start, Harris warned Americans about Trump’s tactics, predicting his reliance on insults and misinformation. As if on cue, Trump delivered exactly what she had forecasted, underscoring her ability to cut through his usual noise.
- “He talks about Hannibal Lecter, says windmills cause cancer, and people leave his rallies because they’re bored.”
Harris took an unusual approach, daring viewers to attend a Trump rally themselves to witness the spectacle. She called out his bizarre remarks and his obsession with crowd sizes, hitting Trump in one of his most vulnerable spots: his ego.
- “I have the endorsement of 200 Republicans, including Dick Cheney and Liz Cheney.”
Trump had to confront the fact that many high-profile Republicans—some of whom worked closely with him—have endorsed Harris. She highlighted the defections within his party, which visibly irked him. Trump attempted to brush it off by claiming he fired many of these individuals, but the damage was done.
- “Military leaders you worked with have called you a disgrace.”
Harris didn’t shy away from calling Trump out on his strained relationships with military figures. She brought attention to his problematic foreign policy and the disdain many military leaders reportedly have for him. Harris also slammed him for his cozy relationships with dictators, claiming, “They can manipulate you with flattery and favors.”
- “[Putin] would eat you for lunch.”
Harris directly challenged Trump’s weakness in dealing with Russia and Vladimir Putin. She argued that if Trump were president again, Putin would have already taken Kyiv, driving home the point that Trump’s foreign policy would be disastrous for Ukraine and the global community.
- “Donald Trump was fired by 81 million Americans, and clearly he’s struggling with that.”
As Trump continued to peddle false claims about the 2020 election, Harris reminded him and the nation that the American people decisively rejected him. She made it clear that his refusal to accept the outcome was rooted in denial, dismissing his claims with confidence and finality.
Throughout the debate, Harris masterfully held her ground, leaving Trump with little to counter. With sharp critiques and a calm demeanor, she delivered blows that resonated not only with her supporters but likely left her opponent reeling.
