Trump's allies believe he loses debate with Harris - CNN
On Tuesday, September 10, the long-anticipated debate took place between US presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Republican allies believe that Trump lost, reports CNN.
It was noted that as soon as Trump left the stage, he immediately began inquiring from those waiting in the viewing room about how the last 90 minutes had gone. Some praised him to his face, saying he had done a great job, but this was not the feedback many provided privately.
Instead, Trump’s associates claimed that the performance on stage was, at best, a draw, and at worst, a loss. Some were astonished that the former president failed to better leverage the points he had prepared against Vice President Harris, particularly regarding her record and political shifts.
According to two CNN sources, Trump prepared for the debate with Harris more thoroughly than he did for the debates with President Joe Biden earlier this summer. Despite this, he did not raise one of his key arguments against the vice president - why she has not fulfilled the promises she is currently making after 3.5 years in office. This surprised many who had heard Trump make this argument privately and during his campaign.
Additionally, one member of the Republican team admitted that the former president fell into traps every time Harris presented them.
CNN reports that while many of Trump’s allies described the event as a lost opportunity, they have since begun downplaying the overall significance of the debate. Trump’s associates argue that the debate results will not impact his standing in Pennsylvania.
Possibility of a second debate
On Wednesday morning, Donald Trump stated that he has no intention of participating in additional televised debates with Kamala Harris.
However, nearly all of his allies who spoke with CNN indicated that, in their view, Trump will eventually agree to a second round.