1. Trump repeatedly spread disinformation

During the debate, Trump spread disinformation to make his points, repeating already debunked rhetoric on everything from the results of the 2020 election to his involvement in Project 2025 — a conservative-backed plan to overhaul the U.S. government from within. The former president distanced himself from the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, saying he was only there to give a speech, and blamed then-House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi for failing to beef up security. He also falsely said crime rates in the U.S. had risen when, in fact, they had fallen.

2. …and was regularly checked by the moderators

ABC hosts David Muir and Linsey Davis were largely praised for delivering a strong performance. They effectively guided discussions back to the questions they had raised on key issues, including the economy, immigration, abortion rights, and the peaceful transfer of power, and made important clarifying fact-checking statements when warranted.

Muir and Davis are veteran journalists who collectively have spent decades helping the American public navigate presidential positions. Feedback for their performance stands in contrast to CNN’s June debate, when moderators frequently missed opportunities to fact-check Trump and Joe Biden.

3. Harris strongly defended the Democrats’ position on reproductive rights

When challenged on his changing views on access to abortion care, Trump made a series of alarming — and easily refuted — claims that Democrats supported executing babies after birth. He also took credit for overturning Roe v Wade, a Supreme Court decision made after he appointed three members to form a conservative majority that was unpopular with the majority of Americans. Trump did, however, clarify his position, saying he believes in exceptions for rape, incest and threats to the life of the mother.

Harris called his views “insulting to the women of America” ​​and pushed back on his statements that he was following through on a promise to bring the issue back to the states, saying that “the people of America voted for freedom.” She highlighted the difficult realities faced by women in states with abortion bans and expectant mothers who would struggle to access IVF care.

4. The candidates both praised their work to improve the economy

Harris was quick to tout her “opportunity economy,” a plan that includes tax cuts for people who start small businesses, help for new parents and first-time homebuyers, and a crackdown on corporate rent-seeking. “I’m the only person on this stage who wants to lift up the middle class,” Harris said, citing her middle-class upbringing.

Trump, meanwhile, claimed he was overseeing the “best economy” even with the recession caused by the Covid pandemic, and accused his opponent of raising costs for American families. “People can’t go out and buy cereal, bacon or anything else,” he said.

Inflation spiked under the Biden-Harris administration, but fell just as quickly. In August, U.S. inflation stabilized at 2.9%, below the average of nearly 3.3%.

Trump also emphasized his position on tariffs, which he wants to make a priority when he returns to the White House.

5. Trump made lewd and sometimes racist statements about immigrants

During the debate, Trump focused on immigration, making racy statements about criminals being welcome in the country and cities where pets are eaten by immigrants.

As debate moderators attempted to refute the claims, challenging Trump on their validity and how he would carry out the deportation of millions as he had promised to do, Harris went on the attack. She emphasized her record as “the only person on stage who has prosecuted transnational organizations,” and also accused her opponent of calling on the GOP to oppose legislation to fortify the border.

“He preferred to chase a problem rather than solve it,” she said.

6. The candidates fought over Ukraine and how they would handle the war

Harris said that if Trump were in power at that time, Russian President Vladimir Putin would have taken Kiev, saying Putin would “eat him for lunch.”

“I think Donald Trump is saying this war would be over in 24 hours because he would just give up,” Harris also said.

When Muir asked Trump how he would end the war — and specifically whether he wanted Ukraine to win — the former president did not give a clear answer.

“I want the war to stop. I want to save lives that are useless. People are being killed by the millions,” he said. Asked again whether it is in the U.S. interest for Ukraine to win, he doubled down. “I think it is in the U.S. interest to end this war and just do it, okay, negotiate a deal, because we have to prevent all these lives from being destroyed.”

7. Harris provoked Trump by attacking him where it hurts

As moderators pressed Harris to respond to criticism she and Biden faced over border policy, the vice president skillfully derailed her opponent’s rhetoric on what is arguably his favorite topic to discuss by ridiculing his rallies.

She invited voters to watch the speeches for themselves. She said attendees left the meeting exhausted and bored. She described the events as a platform for Trump’s complaints, not plans to put the American people first.

The jab hit home. An offended and frustrated Trump seized the opportunity to defend his rallies’ attendance, claiming that Harris pays attendees at her own campaign events, before pivoting to insults that missed the mark. He accused Harris of planning to turn the country into “Venezuela on steroids” and called the U.S. a “failing nation,” before rehashing false claims that immigrants were eating people’s pets.