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The much-anticipated presidential debate between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic contender Kamala Harris unfolded on Tuesday, marking their first and possibly only face-to-face confrontation before the November 5th election.
Hosted by ABC News and moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis, the debate stretched beyond its scheduled 90 minutes as the candidates clashed on major issues including the US economy, abortion rights, and trade wars.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, weighed in on the performances. While he acknowledged the strengths of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, his support for Republican candidate Donald Trump remained unshaken.
Musk expressed his views on X, stating, "While I don't think the debate hosts were fair to @realDonaldTrump, @KamalaHarris exceeded most people's expectations tonight."
Despite his praise for Harris, Musk highlighted his preference for Trump's approach to governance, emphasizing, "That said, when it comes to getting things done, not just saying nice-sounding words, I strongly believe that Trump will do a far better job."
He further questioned Harris's impact thus far, adding, "After all, if Kamala can do great things, why hasn't she? Biden rarely shows up for work, so she's basically in charge already. The question comes down to this: do you want current trends to continue for 4 more years or do you want change?"
Support for Harris came from high places, with President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama endorsing her capabilities.
Biden expressed on X, “America got to see tonight the leader I’ve been proud to work alongside for three and a half years. Wasn’t even close. VP Harris proved she’s the best choice to lead our nation forward. We’re not going back.”
Obama also praised Harris, saying, "Tonight, we saw firsthand who has the vision and strength to move this country forward instead of dividing us. @KamalaHarris will be a president for all Americans.”
The debate also drew reactions from other influential figures.
Hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman critiqued Harris's approach, stating on X, “The world is in flames because of the weak leadership and failed foreign policy of the Biden-@KamalaHarris administration. Incredible that @KamalaHarris calls @realDonaldTrump weak.”
Sequoia Capital partner Shaun Maguire supported Trump, criticizing the moderation of the debate and accusing the media of letting Harris sidestep significant issues.
As the dust settles, Harris has already challenged Trump to another debate, indicating that the political battle is far from over. The dialogue continues both online and off as the nation edges closer to making a pivotal decision this November.
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