The first presidential debate between former US President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris drew widespread attention, with early responses indicating a significant advantage for Harris. But who was ultimately declared the winner?

The debate, held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, featured two heavyweights of American politics, as Kamala Harris and Donald Trump faced off on the issues that matter most to voters. Despite Trump’s accusations that the debate was “rigged” in favor of Harris—he even accused ABC News of bias—viewer reactions suggested a different outcome.

Harris Gains Momentum Among Independents

Harris managed to make noticeable progress with independent voters. Following the debate, her favorability rating climbed six points, reaching 45%. Meanwhile, Trump’s favorability dipped slightly, falling by two points to 39%. Voters appeared split on who best understood their day-to-day concerns, with 44% backing Harris and 40% siding with Trump.

Interestingly, the debate didn’t sway most voters’ opinions. A significant 82% of those surveyed said the debate had no impact on their candidate choice, while 14% admitted they might reconsider their decision—but probably wouldn’t change their minds. Only 4% said the debate influenced their decision enough to alter their vote.

Who Took the Debate Win?

A CNN flash poll conducted right after the debate showed a clear victory for Harris, with 63% of registered voters who tuned in declaring her the winner. On the other hand, 37% of respondents favored Trump. The survey, sent to 605 registered voters via text message, revealed that many had anticipated a closer result, expecting the debate to be more evenly split.

This isn’t the first time Trump has found himself in a challenging debate. While he claimed victory over Joe Biden in a CNN debate earlier, viewers of past debates favored both Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016 over Trump.

Trump’s Economic Strength Remains

Although Harris gained ground in some areas, Trump retained his lead when it came to handling the economy. According to the CNN poll, Trump held a commanding 20-point advantage over Harris on economic issues, with 55% of respondents believing he is better equipped to manage the economy, compared to 35% who supported Harris in this area. In fact, this gap widened slightly after the debate, indicating that Trump’s economic message continues to resonate with a substantial portion of voters.

In the end, while Harris may have emerged victorious in the eyes of many viewers, Trump’s strength on the economy remained a key point of confidence for his supporters.

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