Texas Southern University Reacts to Fiery Trump-Harris Debate

By: Jayhlin Rodgers

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris reached millions in their first face-to-face presidential debate.

“The debate was very intense,” said Andrea Taylor, junior Radio, Television and Film (RTF) major. 

The debate, live broadcasted, reached 57.7 million homes and touched on topics revolving abortion, immigration, the economy, and foreign policy.

Its opening, with Harris approaching the stage to greet Trump formally, would set the tone for the 90-minute faceoff.

“The fact that he wanted to walk behind his podium and not shake her hand really said a lot, and then the way he repeatedly told her to be quiet even though her microphone was muted, I felt seemed like a jerk move,” said Vincent Powell, RTF professor.

Vincent Powell, TSU Professor

According to platforms like CNN and The Detroit News, this move has been noted by the public and further solidified certain people’s opinions on who won the debate.

Texas Southern University students and faculty are riddled with concerns regarding the debate as they reflect on nonverbal and verbal cues expressed by both Trump and Harris.

One statement, among many that have grabbed the public’s attention, was Trump’s baseless claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio are eating dogs and cats.

“They are eating the dogs, the people that came in. They are eating the cats of the people that live there, and this is what is happening in our country,” said former President Trump.

Former President, Donald Trump

A comment that was quickly redirected by moderators who continued to fact check claims and statements made by both Trump and Harris.

“I feel like it was important that they were fact-checking on the dot with both parties, a lot of false claims came from former president Donald Trump,” said Skyiah Johnson, a sophomore Broadcast journalism major.

The purpose of this debate was to bring both parties together to further clarify their policies and address doubts about what they stand for.

Potential efforts stated by both parties regarding issues in foreign policy and abortion were viewed by some as not specific enough.

With Harris’s brief address of past actions with the Biden administration regarding aid for Israel, and Trump changing verbiage in where he stands with abortion rights, some people felt there was still room to properly address these issues and get a better read on what efforts might be executed in the future.

“I feel there is still room to wonder, but you could also see a bit of what each party has to offer” said Johnson.

Skyiah Johnson, TSU Sophomore

Regardless of these factors, facts do not lie. One of the bigger questions is who was the winner of this debate, and more so, what does that mean for the election happening in November?

According to an online poll through The Oklahoman 225,000 votes were cast. Of these, 118,774 or 52.5% gave the debate victory to Harris.

Trump received 96,797 votes or 42.8%, and 10,479, or 4.6% said neither candidate was the clear winner.

While online Harris has been voted as the winner of this debate, this win does not guarantee the presidency and according to MSN, the 2024 presidential campaign is tight.

Polls are showing statistical ties in most of the critical states that could vote either Democratic or Republican.

This week’s debate made it more difficult for the “undecided voters”.

“I think in the end, the debate gave the viewers a deeper look into the candidates, their morals, values and how they felt on certain topics,” said Erin Slaughter, TSU Broadcast Journalism major. “I needed to see this debate to make a more informed decision, however I am still undecided.”