Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will meet for the first time on Tuesday for a presidential debate hosted by ABC News.
The two are facing off at a pivotal time, with just weeks until Election Day and days before some states begin the early voting process.
The ABC News presidential debate will take place on Sept. 10 at 9 p.m. EDT and air on ABC and stream on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu.
Hot-button political issues that are likely to be discussed by Harris and Trump include the economy, immigration, reproductive rights, crime, and more.
Here is a brief look at where each of them stand on key election-year topics as reflected in recent ABC News/Ipsos polling.
Economy, inflation
Trump has been a vocal critic of the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the economy, saying their policies are to blame for inflation, which reached a 40-year high in 2022 but has since cooled to 2.9% year-over-year as of July.
On policy, he’s pledged to cut costs by restoring “energy independence” through drilling more oil and lowering gas prices. He’s also said he would reduce the national debt, eliminate regulations and implement a variety of tax cuts for domestic corporations as well as tariffs on foreign imports.
Harris has presented a plan for what she’s calling an “opportunity economy” that builds on what the administration’s done on drug pricing and the Child Tax Credit but also goes further on several fronts.
Her proposal includes $25,000 in down-payment support for first-time homeowners, construction of 3 million new housing units, raising the minimum wage and a federal ban on corporate price-gouging on food and groceries. She’s also pitched a $50,000 tax benefit for new small businesses and a lower long-term capital gains tax of 28%.
In this split image, Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Glendale, Ariz., on Aug. 23, 2024, and Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a Labor Day campaign event, in Pittsburgh, Sept. 2, 2024.
Evan Vucci/AP and Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
Immigration
Trump has made immigration and border security a focal point of his campaign, often going further in his anti-immigrant rhetoric than he did in 2016.
He said if elected, he plans to finish the U.S.-Mexico border wall, revive “Remain in Mexico” and asylum restrictions and “carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American History” of immigrants living in the U.S. without legal permission. Trump has also promised to sign an executive order to end birthright citizenship.
Immigrants walk towards a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border on Sept. 28, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas.
John Moore/Getty Images, FILE
Harris has defended the administration’s handling of the issue, specifically her role in taking on root causes of migration from Central America.
She’s also railed against Republicans for rejecting a bipartisan border bill that would have tightened asylum rules and implemented other immigration restrictions while also increasing resources to improve legal immigration pathways. Harris said if elected, she would continue to push for the legislation and pledged to sign it if it came to her desk. She also wants comprehensive reform that includes an earned pathway to citizenship.
Reproductive rights
Harris became the face of the administration’s fight for reproductive rights and abortion access after the fall of Roe. v. Wade, traveling the country to speak on the issue.
She has called on Congress to pass a law restoring protections to the right to abortion that were guaranteed by Roe. She’s been highly critical of state-level restrictions, questioning why Republican lawmakers don’t “trust women.”
Demonstrators march and gather near the Texas Capitol following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, June 24, 2022, in Austin, Texas. Lizelle Gonzalez, a Texas woman who was charged with murder over self-managing an abortion and spent two nights in jail, sued prosecutors Thursday, March 28, 2024, along the U.S.-Mexico border who put the criminal case in motion before it was later dropped.
Eric Gay/AP, FILE
Trump frequently touts his role in nominating three Supreme Court justices who voted to overrule Roe but has changed his stance on some issues as the campaign’s gone on. While he previously voiced support for a nationwide ban, he now says it should be up to states to regulate abortion access.
Recently, he declared that under his administration, the government or company insurance would be mandated to pay for all costs associated with in vitro fertilization or IVF. Though he didn’t specify how exactly the program would work or be funded.
Crime, gun violence
Gun violence is back in the news after two students and two teachers were killed in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia.
Harris called the shooting a “senseless tragedy” and said it “doesn’t have to be this way.” She has called for nationwide red flag laws, universal background checks and an assault weapons ban.
State of Georgia Chaplain Ronald Clark consoles students as they kneel in front of a makeshift memorial at Apalachee High School, on Sept. 5, 2024, in Winder, Georgia.
Jessica McGowan/Getty Images
Trump blamed a “sick and deranged monster” for the shooting. He has often argued in the wake of mass shootings that guns were not to blame but rather mental health issues. He’s referred to himself as the “most pro-gun” president in history and has not signaled he would enact any gun control measures if elected.
Overall, Trump has frequently claimed crime rates are rising despite violent crime being down across the country overall compared to last year. Harris, meanwhile, has leaned into her background as a prosecutor, saying she has a record of taking on drug cartels and corporations in the interest of everyday Americans. She also pledged to continue funding law enforcement agencies, touting the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan for investing $15 billion in public safety.
Foreign policy
Harris has, so far, adopted much of President Biden’s foreign policy stances. She said as president, she would continue to stand with Ukraine and NATO. She’s also pledged to “never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to protect U.S. forces and interests from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups.”
On the Israel-Hamas war, Harris has reiterated support for Israel’s security but also expressed sympathy for the plight of civilians suffering in Gaza. She’s called for a cease-fire with hostages returned and said she is working with Biden to secure such a deal.
Members of a United Nations investigation team visit a school run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees which was hit during an Israeli army strike the day before, in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip on June 7, 2024.
Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images
Trump has claimed neither the Israel-Hamas war nor the Russia-Ukraine war would have started if he were president. He’s signaled he would cut back U.S. aid to Kyiv and continues to criticize NATO allies who he says are not doing enough. He’s also expressed staunch support for Israel’s right to defense and to go after Hamas, but has also called for a quick end to the war.
Trump’s also sought to make Afghanistan a key topic in recent weeks after the third anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal of troops from the country. He’s slammed the Biden-Harris administration for the chaotic withdrawal, blaming them for the death of 13 U.S. service members who were killed in a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate. Harris defended the decision to end America’s “longest war” and said she would take action to protect Americans against terrorist threats.
Democracy
Trump continues to make false claims about the 2020 election, asserting without evidence it was rigged or stolen. He currently faces state and federal charges stemming from his efforts to overturn his election loss, to which he pleaded not guilty. Last week, he appeared to admit he lost the 2020 election, saying he got more votes in his reelection campaign than in 2016 but still “lost by a whisker.”
In a major escalation of that rhetoric, Trump said that if he wins this race, those who “cheated” would “be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences.” He suggested his apparent threat of “legal exposure” applies to “Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials.”
Trump’s also sent mixed messages on voting methods this cycle, often doubling down on his calls for Election Day voting only and making groundless claims that mail-in voting is ripe for abuse while also encouraging supporters to cast their ballot whether it’s early voting, mail-in voting or other forms of voting.
People standing in line to vote
Adobe Stock
Trump’s also accused Democrats of a “coup” after President Biden exited the race and endorsed Harris, who quickly secured enough party support to become the nominee.
Harris has been critical of efforts to cast doubt on the election, claiming Trump tried to “throw away” people’s votes and blaming him for what happened at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
She’s said as president, she would advocate for the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act to bolster voting rights and vowed to “hold sacred America’s fundamental principles, from the rule of law, to free and fair elections, to the peaceful transfer of power.”
ABC News’ Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Hannah Demissie, Fritz Farrow, Lalee Ibssa, Soo Rin Kim, Will McDuffie and Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report.
As the 2020 presidential election draws near, the American public is closely examining the stances of the two major party candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, on key issues that are important to voters. With an upcoming debate on ABC News, it is crucial for voters to understand where each candidate stands on these issues in order to make an informed decision at the polls.
One of the most pressing issues facing the country is healthcare. Kamala Harris has been a vocal advocate for expanding access to affordable healthcare for all Americans. She supports building on the Affordable Care Act and implementing a public option to provide coverage for those who cannot afford private insurance. Harris has also proposed lowering prescription drug prices and increasing funding for mental health services.
On the other hand, Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. He has not provided a detailed plan for what would replace it, but has expressed support for allowing insurance companies to sell plans across state lines and expanding health savings accounts. Trump has also signed executive orders aimed at lowering drug prices and increasing price transparency in healthcare.
Another key issue that will likely be discussed during the ABC News debate is climate change. Kamala Harris has been a strong proponent of taking action to combat climate change, supporting policies such as rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement and investing in renewable energy sources. She has also proposed creating jobs in clean energy industries and transitioning away from fossil fuels.
In contrast, Donald Trump has repeatedly denied the scientific consensus on climate change and has rolled back numerous environmental regulations during his time in office. He has expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of renewable energy sources and has focused on promoting the coal and oil industries.
When it comes to immigration, Kamala Harris has advocated for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, as well as protections for DACA recipients. She has criticized Trump’s policies on immigration, including his travel ban on predominantly Muslim countries and his family separation policy at the border.
Donald Trump has taken a hardline stance on immigration, calling for stricter border security measures and cracking down on illegal immigration. He has also pushed for funding to build a wall along the US-Mexico border and has implemented policies to limit legal immigration, such as the public charge rule.
As voters prepare to watch the upcoming ABC News debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, it is important to consider where each candidate stands on these key issues. By understanding their positions on healthcare, climate change, immigration, and other important topics, voters can make an informed decision when they head to the polls in November.
