US Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump clashed tonight to make their case in their first and only presidential debate before the US election on November 5.
• Also read: LIVE | Follow the first Trump-Harris debate minute by minute
• Also read: Illegal immigrants ‘eat cats and pets,’ Donald Trump says in debate
Here are some quotes that marked this first tense contest between the two candidates.
Economy
“I believe in the ambition, the aspirations, the dreams of the American people, and that’s why I have a plan to build what I call an opportunity economy,” Harris said.
“Look, we’ve had a terrible economy because of inflation, which is really known as a ‘country destroyer,'” Trump said.
Assassination attempt
“I probably got shot in the head for the stuff they’re saying about me,” Trump said.
Ukraine
“I want the war to stop. I want to save lives,” Trump pleaded when asked if he wanted Ukraine to win the war against Russia.
“If Donald Trump were president, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv right now,” Harris said.
Honesty
“Like I said, you’re going to hear a lot of lies, and that’s not really surprising,” Harris said.
“There it is again. It’s a lie,” Trump said after Harris suggested he would sign a national abortion ban if elected.
Attack on the Capitol
“I had nothing to do with it, other than they asked me to make a speech,” Trump said when asked if he regretted anything that day.
“I was at the Capitol. (…) On that day, the president of the United States incited a violent mob to attack our nation’s capital, to desecrate it,” Harris replied.
Immigration
“I’ll tell you one thing, he’s going to talk a lot about immigration tonight, even though that’s not the topic that’s being discussed,” Harris said.
“Our country is failing, we are a failed nation,” Trump said, referring to people entering the country illegally.
Pandemic
“But what Donald Trump did, let’s talk about it, … he actually thanked President Xi for what he did during COVID-19,” Harris said.
Attacks
“Wait a minute, I’m speaking now, if you don’t mind, please, does this ring a bell?” Trump sneered, appearing to reference Harris’ “I’m speaking” remark to Mike Pence during the 2020 vice presidential debate.
“It’s important to remind the former president that you’re not running against Joe Biden, you’re running against me,” Harris said confidently.
Abortion
“I promise you that when Congress passes a bill to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade, … I will proudly sign it,” Harris proclaimed.
“I believe in exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. (…) Now the states vote on that. (…) Each state votes individually. It’s the vote of the people. Now it’s not tied to the federal government,” Trump explained.
Conflict in Israel
“This has to end immediately, (…) we need a ceasefire agreement and we need the hostages released,” Harris said.
“She hates Israel. If she’s president, I think Israel will be gone in two years,” Trump claimed.
To which Harris responded: “That is absolutely not true. I have supported Israel and the Israeli people my entire career and my life.”
World Heads of State
“World leaders are laughing at Donald Trump,” Harris said.
“(Hungarian Prime Minister) Viktor Orban said that the most respected and feared person is Donald Trump,” Trump defended.
