Former US President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday faced off in their first presidential debate, sparking an immediate wave of reactions online. Hosted by ABC News, the 90-minute debate covered topics such as the economy, abortion rights, the Israel-Gaza and Russia-Ukraine conflicts, and immigration laws. Both Trump and Harris took aim at each other’s policies with sharp retorts, making it one of the most intense debates of the election season.
Trump accused the Biden administration of mishandling the economy and criticised their foreign policy. Kamala Harris fired back, defending the administration’s achievements and attacking Trump’s controversial immigration reforms and handling of foreign affairs during his presidency.
As the debate wrapped up, social media platforms exploded with memes, highlighting key moments.
A user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Americans watching the debate rеalizing we are in the late stage of an еmpіre,” with a GIF of Homelander, a character from the popular TV show The Boys, watching hopelessly in a room full of people.
americans watching the debate rеalizing we are in the late stage of an еmpіre pic.twitter.com/TZgT7oyYJm
— kira ???? (@kirawontmiss) September 11, 2024
Another wrote, “Oh Kamala clocking that orange man in this debate,” followed by a clip of American rapper Nicki Minaj applauding.
oh kamala clocking that orange man in this debate pic.twitter.com/ugEC3KRQLV
— ALV ???? (@AriLuxeVibez) September 11, 2024
A viral collage claimed to capture the contrast between Trump and Harris during the debate, showing the former with a confused scowl and Harris with a confident smile. “Debate summed up,” the caption read.
Debate summed up pic.twitter.com/wKCOuaFONX
— Secular Talk???? (@KyleKulinski) September 11, 2024
“Republicans coming up with the cat and dog eating story two days before the debate,” a post read.
republicans coming up with the cat and dog eating story two days before the debate pic.twitter.com/5UDUQgCOOr
— brandon* (@brndxix) September 11, 2024
This hilarious post said “‘take a shot every time Trump lies or deflects a question’,” accompanied by a clip of a drunk man tumbling down the stairs with a glass of alcohol in hand.
“Take a shot everytime trump lies or deflects a question”
Me by the first break #Debate2024 pic.twitter.com/3Yc1qw8gnX
— emily 🙂 (@Ewobbuffet) September 10, 2024
“Trump is cooked,” read a reaction.
Trump is cooked ???????? pic.twitter.com/4EBjMBmXOl
— juju ???? (@ayeejuju) September 11, 2024
Check out other memes here:
the presidential debate: pic.twitter.com/u1RDxkVmo1
— ໊ (@buffys) September 11, 2024
Trump: “She wants to take everybody’s guns!”
Kamala: pic.twitter.com/nsjooEKddO
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) September 11, 2024
pets watchin the presidential debate pic.twitter.com/ka0H7kkiQ9
— Devin Walker (@Devin_Walker2) September 11, 2024
Fact checkers after only 9 minutes of the #PresidentialDebate pic.twitter.com/Rq896PLMby
— Thor: NIGnarok (@hosienation) September 11, 2024
Not long after the debate ended, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris challenged Donald Trump to a second face-off. The Harris campaign issued an email, talking about her performance and criticising Trump’s responses. Trump responded, saying Harris wants another debate because she didn’t do well, and he would “think about that.”
Meanwhile, the vice presidential debate between Democratic candidate Tim Walz and Republican candidate JD Vance is scheduled for October 1.