On Tuesday, US presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced off in their first and potentially only debate before the November election. Held in Philadelphia and hosted by ABC, the debate provided a comprehensive look at the candidates’ positions on key issues such as the economy, abortion, climate change, and foreign policy, including the conflicts in Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas.

Harris, the Democratic nominee and current vice president, focused her remarks on economic recovery, while Trump, the Republican candidate and former president, frequently shifted the conversation toward immigration and controversial conspiracy theories. The debate’s tone was intense, with both candidates trading sharp words, particularly over abortion rights, where Harris criticized the lack of clear responses from Trump on a potential national ban.

The debate was largely civil, with the moderators controlling interruptions by muting the candidates’ microphones when necessary. However, the exchange was not without false and misleading statements, particularly regarding job growth and immigration.

With just seven weeks left until the election, the stakes were high for both contenders. Harris, who has only been in the race for a short time, used the platform to rally support, while Trump sought to rebound from a challenging summer for his campaign. Harris expressed optimism after the debate but acknowledged that her campaign still faces a tough road ahead.

In contrast, Trump confidently defended his performance, despite making several factually incorrect claims. He dismissed Harris’s request for a second debate, insisting that she wanted a rematch because she “lost.”

The debate highlighted the starkly different paths each candidate envisions for the future of the United States, setting the stage for what could be a closely contested election.