The airwaves are buzzing after the first presidential debate ahead of the 2024 elections, where Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump went head-to-head in a battle of wits and soundbites. While Trump unleashed his usual barrage of memorable quotes, there was one moment that had everyone talking—and not just about what he said. It was a moment that underscored Harris’s ability to hold her own, both verbally and non-verbally, in the fiery exchange.
During a heated discussion about Trump’s business dealings with China, Harris calmly stated, “Let’s be clear that the Trump administration resulted in a trade deficit, one of the highest we’ve ever seen in the history of America,” and later added that Trump’s administration had sold American-made semiconductor chips to China. The implication? Trump’s actions may well have given China an edge, and as we all know, no one wants their chips to be helping a rival nation, especially not when those chips power everything from smartphones to military tech.
It’s worth noting that Harris’s confident demeanor was highlighted by political strategist Frank Luntz, who pointed out, “You have to give Harris credit: when she speaks, even when defending herself, she maintains eye contact with Trump.” This is something Hillary Clinton notably struggled with during her debates in 2016. Harris? She’s got her game face on and it’s looking fierce.
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While Harris delivered her critique, Trump was quick to pivot. In trademark style, he launched into a lengthy response, digging into everything from his policies to Harris’s past stances. “First of all, they bought their chips from Taiwan,” Trump declared, making it sound like he’d just discovered the world wasn’t flat. He fired back, reiterating his standing complaint: all of her supposed policies were, in his view, as flimsy as a paper napkin in a rainstorm. Trump, in a show of impressive vitriol, added, “I don’t say her because she has no policy. Everything that she believed three years ago and four years ago is out the window.”
However, amidst the chaos of Trump’s claims, a silent yet loud moment emerged from Harris. As the cameras swiveled, she was caught on tape mouthing, “It’s not true, it’s not true, no.” A classic rejoinder worthy of a sitcom moment, but this was real life, folks! With the help of professional lip reader Nicola Hickling, the internet finally had confirmation of Harris’s silent rebuttal to Trump’s claims about her policy knowledge.
Despite the moderators cutting in to shift the focus onto abortion access—so you know, no big deal—Harris’s non-verbal commentary had already made rounds on social media, painting a picture of a woman who’s both poised and unimpressed. The reactions ranged from the cheeky to the absurd, with one viewer tweeting, “Gagged him without saying anything.” Just imagine the collective facepalms happening across the country.
The debate wasn’t without its cringe-worthy moments, as Trump accused Harris and her father of being Marxists. Yes, you read that right—Marxists! One could almost hear the collective“Wait, what?” from viewers across the nation. Harris’s reaction was nothing short of theatrical. She rested her chin on her hand, an expression that seemed to scream, “Is this what we’re doing now?” It was a moment that social media turned into a treasure trove of memes and jokes. One user quipped, “She really said, ‘that’s it? that’s all you got?’” It’s as if Harris had become the meme queen of debates.
In terms of pure entertainment, the debate felt more like an episode of a reality show than a presidential showdown. With Trump delivering more punchlines than a stand-up comedian and Harris serving up side-eye looks that could slice through steel, viewers were treated to a political circus of sorts.
As the debate progressed, Harris’s calm yet fiery retorts indicated she was not just a side player in this political drama. Instead, she stood poised to challenge Trump on topics crucial to voters—insisting on the importance of real strategies around technology, trade, and, sadly, TikTok dances. In a world obsessed with virality, perhaps Biden and Harris, with their youthful aspirations, are a tad better equipped to communicate with a new generation.
While Harris’s comments on trade deficits and semiconductor chips may seem dry on paper, they highlight a crucial point lost in the showmanship of the debate format. As the audience sipped popcorn, Harris reminded them that behind the quips, there were serious implications.
With the election already heating up, both candidates are gearing up for a long and convoluted battle filled with plenty of hot air and perhaps even some thoughtful discourse—if they can manage it amid the prevailing chaos. Both Trump and Biden represent distinct ideologies that are set to shape the future of America, and the debates will seemingly set the tone.
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So what’s next for these contenders? Will they continue to throw verbal punches or will they steer the conversation towards the heart of policy? One thing is for sure: America is watching, and our collective hopes for a politically sound future may just depend on how they answer the questions we hold dear.
Stay tuned! The debates have just begun, and who knows, maybe we’ll end up with some more meme-worthy moments. After all, in the grand theater of politics, the show must go on.