Political analysts are raising concerns about the current trajectory of former President Donald Trump’s campaign after a lackluster debate against Vice President Kamala Harris. The two candidates engaged in their first—and potentially last—debate in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, and the results have left many questioning Trump’s effectiveness on the stage.
Post-debate analysis from several polls and political experts indicates that Harris clearly outshone Trump. This assessment wasn’t limited to liberal commentators; even some conservative voices expressed disappointment in Trump’s performance. For instance, Brit Hume, chief political analyst for Fox News, stated on-air that “Trump had a bad night.”
Conservative commentator Tomi Lahren chimed in the following day, suggesting on X (formerly Twitter) that Trump might benefit from some hard truths from his advisors in order to regain momentum against Harris. “Trump needs some tough love from his team,” Lahren wrote. “He MUST buckle down and get to business.”
Chip Somodevilla
Political strategist Chris Collins noted, “Trump let himself be sidetracked by Harris during the debate. She dictated the narrative and managed to draw him into traps.” This dynamic likely contributed to poll results showing that a significant majority believed Harris was the debate’s victor.
Collins went on to emphasize that the Harris campaign should stick to issues that resonate well with voters, particularly abortion rights and tax cuts for the middle class. He advised them to “set the agenda” and to avoid getting dragged into discussions on topics like immigration or inflation, where Trump might hold the upper hand.
A flash poll by CNN/SSRS revealed that 63% of viewers felt Harris emerged victorious, whereas only 37% supported Trump. Similarly, a YouGov poll found that among registered voters who watched at least part of the debate, 54% sided with the vice president while 31% backed Trump, leaving 14% undecided.
Tim Miller, a former Republican campaign operative who now supports Harris, shared that Sen. Lindsey Graham criticized Trump’s debate preparation, remarking that those responsible should be held accountable. “Just spoke with Lindsey Graham… he said the debate team should be fired and Trump was unprepared,” Miller noted.
Reports suggest that Trump approached the debate with minimal preparation, opting for brief policy discussions instead of standard mock sessions, a strategy Harris reportedly utilized extensively. David Axelrod, a strategist for former President Obama, commented on X, pointing out that while Trump dismissed debate prep, Harris thoroughly prepared, demonstrating impressive readiness.
Despite expert evaluations highlighting Trump’s struggles, the former president proclaimed victory almost immediately after the debate, claiming falsely that “every single poll” favored him over Harris. He subsequently shared results from easily manipulated polls on his Truth Social account but neglected to mention the more rigorous scientific polls.
With just 55 days until Election Day, the possibility of a second debate remains uncertain. The Harris campaign has expressed eagerness for another round, while Trump has yet to commit. The pressure is on for both candidates as they navigate the contentious political landscape leading up to the election.