Who won? Here are the night’s key debate moments
FILE-Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speak during a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on S
The first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump was highlighted by the candidates offering their distinct views on the nation, as they traded barbs, and false and misleading claims emerged during the event.
With the public’s reaction mixed on who they believe won Tuesday night’s debate, these were the key moments.
Trump overstates his economic record
During the debate, former President Donald Trump said, "I created one of the greatest economies in the history of our country. ... They’ve destroyed the economy."
Trump’s assertion is overstated since the economy saw a boost under Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan that it did under Trump.
Analysis, key moments from presidential debate
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris faced off in their first presidential debate on Tuesday, September 10. LiveNOW's Andrew Craft recaps the debate with NOTUS' Katherine Swartz and 24sight national politics reporter Tom Lobianco.
The Associated Press noted that the broadest measure of economic growth, gross domestic product, increased 4% annually for four consecutive years under Clinton. The fastest growth under Trump was 3% in 2018. The economy shrank 2.2% in 2020, at the end of Trump’s presidency.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, the economy grew 5.8% in 2021, though much of that reflected a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
RELATED: Trump, Harris presidential debate in Philadelphia: Moment-by-moment recap
Trump tries to link Harris to immigration
Trump described Kamala Harris as the "border czar." But that was never her formal title, and she was never specifically given the responsibility for security on the border. She was tasked by Biden in March 2021 to tackle the "root causes" of migration from the Northern Triangle — the Central American countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador — and pushing leaders there and in Mexico to enforce immigration laws.
Supporters say she used her stature and connection to the White House to encourage investments in those countries to curb migration in the future. But critics argue Harris could have done more and that there is no evidence the vice president pushed those countries to enforce their immigration laws.
Trump overstates inflation numbers
Trump claimed that under the Biden administration, "they had the highest inflation perhaps in the history of our country, because I’ve never seen a worse period of time."
But inflation peaked at 9.1% in June 2022, but it was much higher in the 1970s and early 1980s. Inflation reached a record high of 14.6% in March and April of 1980.
RELATED: Who won the debate? Here’s what polls say
Harris on Jan. 6th insurrection
During the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol, Kamala Harris used the discussion to ask for the votes of people disgusted by both the mobs and Trump’s role in the insurrection.
Harris looked directly at the camera to say, "There is a place in our campaign for you." She asked for support from voters who "stand for rule of law" and want to "end the chaos."
Harris says she is a gun owner
Kamala Harris tried to reject Donald Trump’s accusation that she wants to take away owners’ guns, stating that she is a gun owner, too.
"Tim Walz and I are both gun owners. We’re not taking anybody’s guns away. So stop with the continuous lying about this stuff," she said.
Trump falsely claims evidence shows he won in 2020
Donald Trump repeated his false claim that he beat President Joe Biden in the 2020 election, saying "there’s so much proof. All you have to do is look at it."
The election was not stolen. The authorities who have reviewed the election — including Trump’s own attorney general — have concluded the election was fair.
Trump falsely claims migrants in Ohio are eating pets
Donald Trump repeated false and inflammatory claims about Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, alleging that they are responsible for eating pets in the community.
During the debate, the Republican presidential candidate said, "In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in, they’re eating the cats."
This claim has been negated by local officials, who have found no evidence to support the allegations.
Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025
Kamala Harris mentioned Project 2025 during the debate saying, "What you’re going to hear tonight is a detailed and dangerous plan called Project 2025 that the former president intends on implementing if he were elected again."
However, Donald Trump has said he does not know about Project 2025, a controversial blueprint for another Republican presidential administration. The plan was written up by many of Trump’s former aides and allies, but the former president has never said he will implement the nearly 900-page guide if he is elected again in November, saying it is not related to his campaign.
Harris’ record on fracking examined
Donald Trump addressed fracking and Kamala Harris’ stance on the issue saying, "If she won the election, fracking in Pennsylvania will end on Day 1."
Trump’s assertion neglects the fact that without a law approved by Congress, a president can only ban fracking on federal lands.
According to the AP, the federal government owns roughly 2% of Pennsylvania’s total land, and it is not clear how much of that is adequate for oil or gas drilling.
Republicans have criticized Harris for wavering on the issue, claiming that Harris said in the 2020 campaign that she was opposed to fracking, a drilling method widely used in Pennsylvania and other states. The vice president has continued to say that she will not ban fracking if elected, and she reiterated that in Tuesday’s debate.
Trump criticizes Biden administration over student loan forgiveness
Trump slammed the Biden and Harris administration for failing to deliver on student loan forgiveness, one of their campaign promises. Some borrowers have gotten relief, but parts of the plan have been hampered by lawsuits and Republican opposition.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court declined to lift an injunction that would have allowed one of the student loan forgiveness plans to be implemented.