As the debate on ABC News progressed, Trump and Harris clashed over Harris’ policy reversals.When Harris attempted to interject while her microphone was off—per an agreed-upon rule to prevent interruptions—Trump turned to her and said, “I’m talking now.”
“Wait a minute, I’m talking now, if you don’t mind, please,” Trump continued, adding, in reference to the 2020 vice-presidential debate, “Does that sound familiar?”
Trump’s remark was a direct nod to Harris’ 2020 confrontation with then-Vice President Mike Pence, where she firmly asserted, “Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking,” during a debate about the Covid-19 pandemic. CNN had noted that Harris handled Pence’s interruptions with composure, avoiding the emotional and angry stereotypes often ascribed to women, particularly women of color.
In the current debate, Trump seized on Harris’ apparent policy inconsistencies, saying, “She’s been against fracking for 12 years. Defund the police? She’s been against that forever. She gave up all that stuff, very wrongly, very horribly. And everybody’s laughing at it.”
Harris attempted to respond, but Trump continued, “She went out in Minnesota and wanted to let criminals who killed people and burned down Minneapolis out of jail. She raised money to get them out.”
The debate highlighted the intensity of the candidates’ exchange and the strategic use of past debate moments. Trump’s reference to Harris’ past debate stance underscores the ongoing scrutiny and criticism between the two candidates as they battle for the presidency.