Trump and Harris Offer Contrasting Visions in Debate Closing Statements
In their closing remarks at Tuesday night’s presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump delivered their final appeals to the American public, offering two vastly different visions for the future of the country.
Kamala Harris: A Vision for the Future
Vice President Harris used her closing remarks to draw a clear distinction between the candidates, framing the election as a choice between progress and regression. “I think you’ve heard tonight, two very different visions for our country. One that is focused on the future, and the other that is focused on the past,” Harris stated. She emphasized her commitment to an “opportunity economy,” pledging to invest in small businesses, lower the cost of living, and protect the rights of all Americans, particularly women’s reproductive rights.
Harris drew upon her extensive legal career as a former prosecutor and Attorney General, asserting that she has always had one client—the people. “I never asked a victim or witness, ‘Are you a Republican or a Democrat?’ The only thing I ever asked them was, ‘Are you okay?’” she said, pledging to be a president who prioritizes the needs of the American people over personal ambition.
“I believe in what we can do together,” Harris stated, highlighting her experience as a prosecutor, attorney general, and vice president. She argued that Americans have “more in common than what separates us” and can “chart a new way forward.”
Harris also focused on America’s global standing, promising to restore respect for the U.S. on the world stage and maintain the country’s military strength. She closed with a hopeful message about unity, saying, “I believe in what we can do together… I intend to be a president for all Americans.”
Donald Trump: A Nation in Decline
Former President Trump, in contrast, used his closing remarks to paint a grim picture of the current state of the nation, accusing the Biden-Harris administration of failing to deliver on its promises. “Why hasn’t she done it?” Trump asked rhetorically, pointing to issues such as the border, job creation, and energy policies. He criticized Harris for not taking more action during her tenure, claiming that the administration has had “three and a half years to fix the border,” yet has failed to do so.
Trump warned that America is a “failing nation” under the current leadership, citing international ridicule and the threat of escalating global conflicts. He claimed that under Harris and Biden, the U.S. is headed toward a third world war, driven by nuclear powers. He also blamed the administration for giving away military resources and allowing unchecked immigration, which he said is “destroying our country.”
The former president touted his own record of rebuilding the military while warning of potential global conflicts. He also reiterated his concerns about immigration, claiming many entering the country are “criminals” who are “destroying our country.”
Critiquing Harris, Trump labeled Harris and Biden “the worst president and vice president in the history of our country,” concluding his remarks by emphasizing that America’s decline under their leadership can only be reversed by a change in administration.
A Clear Divide
The closing statements encapsulated the candidates’ differing approaches throughout the debate – Harris outlining future plans and Trump attacking the current administration’s performance. Their remarks offered voters a clear choice between two distinct visions as the 2024 campaign enters its final stretch..
