Shortly after Tuesday night’s heated debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump took to Truth Social to declare the event his “best debate ever,” despite facing what he described as a “three-on-one” battle.
“I thought that was my best Debate, EVER, especially since it was THREE ON ONE!” Trump posted, referencing not just his exchange with Harris but also the involvement of ABC News moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis, who frequently fact-checked his statements.
The moderators’ interventions sparked a backlash from some Republicans, who argued that Muir and Davis unfairly targeted Trump. Ric Grenell, former acting Director of National Intelligence, told Newsmax, “Both moderators were so over the top attacking Trump and not attacking [Harris].”
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., echoed this sentiment, calling the debate “three-on-one” and criticizing the moderators for their frequent fact-checking of Trump without applying the same scrutiny to Harris. Cotton’s remarks mirrored the frustrations of many Republicans who felt the moderators were biased against Trump, a claim made during the debate’s immediate aftermath.
Throughout the night, the moderators confronted Trump over several controversial statements, including his claims about Haitian immigrants in Ohio, accusations of post-birth killings in Democrat-run states, and crime statistics. Harris was also challenged by Davis, particularly on her shifting stances on issues like fracking and the timing of the Biden administration’s actions on border policy.
However, Trump’s post-debate commentary wasn’t limited to his criticisms of the moderators. In another Truth Social post, shared after midnight, Trump likened the debate to a prizefight, mocking Harris’s campaign for calling for a second debate.
“Comrade Kamala Harris is going around wanting another Debate because she lost so badly – Just look at the Polls!” Trump wrote, attaching poll results to back up his claim.
Trump shared multiple polls, including one from Newsmax, which indicated that 93% of viewers thought he won the debate, compared to only 6% for Harris. Other polls Trump referenced included C-SPAN (64% for Trump, 36% for Harris), Insider Paper (Trump leading 78% to 13%), and The Daily Caller (Trump 73%, Harris 8%, and the moderators 19%).
Trump’s campaign adviser Chris LaCivita expressed support for a second debate, hinting that Harris’s team was eager for a rematch in an effort to “clean up” after a performance they felt was lacking.
As calls for a second debate grow, both campaigns are likely to capitalize on this fiery exchange to energize their bases. The debate, already a highly charged event, has further underscored the divisions between the candidates and the media’s role in shaping public perception.