9 things to watch for (and expect) in the Trump-Harris debate tonight

While members of his campaign hope he will focus on his policy proposals rather than the personal attacks and incoherent speeches he often makes, will Trump, who has joked that he wants to fire his advisors who suggest he stop these attacks, manage to resist this pressure? Or will Kamala Harris try to push him back into his usual patterns?

Republicans sharply criticize Kamala Harris for her lack of TV interviews and carefully orchestrated speeches. Despite her undeniable qualifications for the presidency, Harris will have to prove her ability to respond effectively to Trump’s many anticipated forwards during the debate. Will she manage to stay focused on her goals?

As Trump tries to distance himself from Project 2025 and its ultra-conservative policies, often criticized for their tendency to set the USA back a century, Kamala Harris’s criticisms on the subject are eagerly awaited. Will Trump be able to counter them effectively, or will Kamala succeed in sowing enough doubt in voters’ minds?

Trump will probably try to blame the failures of the Biden administration on Kamala Harris, with particular emphasis on the economy and border policies. However, she will have to clearly distinguish the policies of the Trump administration and those of the Biden administration from her own proposals. Will her message be clear enough for the public?

Trump, who regularly disputes having lost the 2020 election and who has encouraged his supporters to attack the Capitol on January 6, 2021, could find himself branded by Kamala Harris as an insurrectionist who prioritizes his own interests over those of the country. Will she succeed in making him take responsibility for his forward assault on democracy once and for all, or will this accusation continue to slide?

Kamala Harris will undoubtedly have to focus on the idea that she must imperatively introduce herself to voters who claim not to know her well yet. After the only debate scheduled for this historic election, there should be no doubt about who Kamala Harris is after tonight. Will she manage to position herself as the best choice for voters still undecided?

With the withdrawal of Joe Biden, Donald Trump is now the oldest candidate in this election, and this is reflected in his often rambling and incoherent speeches, now widely covered by the media since Biden’s departure. Will Kamala Harris succeed in emphasizing and conveying the idea that Trump is too old to be President of the United States to a wider audience?

There’s no denying that Kamala Harris has less debate experience than Donald Trump, who is in his third presidential campaign. The onus is on Harris, and her every move will be closely scrutinized, while Trump will benefit from the media flexibility to which he is accustomed. Will Kamala Harris be able to turn the tide and expose Donald Trump’s inconsistencies?

This historic debate is the first time the two candidates have met in person, Trump having missed the inauguration of Biden and Harris after attempting to contest and then steal the election. With everything Trump has said about Kamala Harris, including his sexist and racist remarks, will he dare to repeat it to her face, as she has often demanded at her rallies?