Harris and Trump sparred in the high-stakes showdown.
The first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump turned into a heated matchup that lasted more than 90 minutes.
The night started with a handshake initiated by Harris, but quickly escalated as the vice president bashed Trump over his policies and comments, contending that it was time to "offer is a new generation of leadership for our country."
Trump criticized Harris throughout the debate on topics such as Afghanistan and immigration issues, drawing comparisons between the vice president and President Joe Biden.
With Election Day just eight weeks away, the debate came at a critical point as polls show a neck-and-neck race between the candidates.
From abortion to the economy, Israel and Gaza to fracking, border security to domestic crime, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump offered many plans and claims during the debate tonight.
Trump repeated a false claim that Haitian migrants are eating pets in Ohio, which the city in question has said is false. Harris claimed Trump will sign a national abortion ban if he is re-elected, which he has not said he will do.
Debate fact checker | Fact checking the Trump-Harris debate.
Harris and Trump met for their first presidential debate on Tuesday night. The consequential matchup was hosted by ABC News at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
Read a transcript of what was said in the 90-minute debate here.
Trump closed out the debate with his closing statement calling out Harris' record in the last three and a half years.
"She's going to do all these wonderful things. Why hasn't she done it? She's been there for three and a half years," he said.
Trump continued attacks on Harris over Afghanistan, the migrant crisis and the economy.
"The worst president, the worst vice president in the history of our country," he said.
Harris spent her closing statement seeking to draw a final contrast between her vision for the country and that of Trump.
She also sought to take a moment to introduce herself to viewers who may not be familiar with her policies and resume, highlighting her background as a prosecutor, California attorney general and U.S. senator.
"We're not going back," she said. "And I do believe that the American people know we all have so much more in common than what separates us, and we can chart a new way forward."
Harris is noticeably more expressive in the room.
While Trump has occasionally smirked or shaken his head, her body language is much bigger, turning toward Trump and back, folding her hands, unfolding them, making faces as if shocked of strongly disagreeing with Trump while he talks.
For example, she looked disgusted when Trump mentioned Hungary's Viktor Orban. When Trump said he was being sarcastic about losing the 2020 election by a "whisker," Harris made a disapproving face, eyebrows furrowed and shook her head. When Trump was talking about Jan. 6, she shook her head throughout.
Trump's biggest reactions so far were around his court cases and when Harris said "you're running against me" (not President Joe Biden). He raised his eyebrows and gave a smile.
Trump said he "doesn't care" about Harris' racial identity, despite his previous repeated comments about her race, including that she "happened to turn Black."
"I don't care what she is. I don't care," he said. "Whatever she wants to be is OK with me."
Asked for her thoughts, Harris said it's a "tragedy" that Trump has attempted to use race over his career to divide the country -- citing the case of the Central Park Five.
"I think the American people want better than that, want better than this," she said.
