Takeaways from Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s first debate

Here are the biggest takeaways from the debate so far.

Kamala Harris proposed to shake Trump’s hand

For the first time since 2016, the two presidential candidates shook hands on the debate stage.

It was Harris who made the first move, crossing the stage to Trump to greet him outside the debate.

“Kamala Harris, nice to debate with you,” the vice president could be heard saying.

Harris often mocked Trump while speaking

Despite the efforts of the Harris campaign, each candidate’s microphone remained muted while the other spoke. But that doesn’t mean the vice president didn’t communicate with viewers as Trump spoke.

In fact, Harris could often be seen on split screen looking at Trump with a dazed look, narrowing her eyes and sometimes shaking her head. When Trump called her a Marxist, she actually seemed to laugh, putting her hand to her chin.

This is a choice given the performative aspects of a high-stakes presidential debate. Harris is betting that showing active contempt for Trump will play well with viewers.

Harris successfully baited Trump for his rallies

About 25 minutes into the debate, Harris said something unusual: She urged viewers to attend one of Trump’s rallies, noting that he often talks about fictional characters, claiming that attendees often leave early. This visibly angered Trump.

“People don’t go to her rallies, there’s no reason they should,” Trump said, claiming Harris pays people to attend her rallies. “People don’t leave my rallies.”

Since then, Trump’s tone has taken a noticeable turn, with more frequent shouting and hyperbole.

Trump declined to say whether he would veto the national abortion ban

One of the debate’s most intense exchanges was on abortion, when Harris made pointed remarks about the consequences of statewide abortion bans.

Trump insisted he would not sign a national abortion ban, saying overturning Roe v. Wade was enough. But when Trump was pressed to rule on such a ban, he repeatedly declined to say, despite Sen. JD Vance saying he would do so in a recent interview.