(Image source from: REUTERS)
In a historic moment for the 2024 US presidential election, former President and Republican party Presidential candidate Donald Trump and Vice President and Democratic party presidential candidate Kamala Harris recently faced off in their first debate. Media reports suggest Harris had the upper hand, contradicting Trump's claims of victory.
Key Highlights:
- Donald Trump declares debate win, polls indicate otherwise
- $ 47 million raised for Harris campaign post-debate
- Trump declines further debates with Harris
- Pope Francis weighs in on both candidates
The debate, held at the National Constitution Center in Pennsylvania, marked a significant milestone in the race to the White House. Despite Donald Trump's assertions of triumph, numerous media outlets reported Harris as the clear winner. This sentiment was echoed by a surge in campaign donations, with Harris's team collecting an impressive $47 million (approximately ₹394 crores) within 24 hours of the debate.
Following the debate, Trump took to social media, stating he won against "the Democrats' radical left candidate." However, he has since announced his refusal to participate in any further debates with Harris, whom he referred to as "the loser Harris." This decision comes after two previous debates - the first with Biden before his withdrawal from the race, and the recent face-off with Harris.
Legal Updates for Donald Trump
In a separate development, a Fulton County, Georgia judge dismissed two criminal charges against Trump related to alleged interference in the 2020 election process. However, eight other charges remain under investigation. Trump's legal team hailed this as a partial victory.
Pope Francis's Controversial Remarks on US election
In an unexpected turn of events, Pope Francis made rare political comments during a news conference, describing both major US presidential candidates as "against life." The pontiff advised Catholic voters to choose the "lesser evil" in the upcoming November election.
The Pope's comments touched on key campaign issues:
- Criticized Trump's stance on immigration as a "grave sin"
- Compared Harris's abortion policy to "assassination"
- Encouraged American Catholics to vote, stating "Not voting is ugly"
With American Catholics comprising 52 million of the global 1.4 billion Catholics, the Pope's words could potentially influence a significant voter base.
As the November 5 election approaches, the political landscape continues to evolve. A vice-presidential debate between Trump's running mate JD Vance and Democratic Vice President Tim Vaz is scheduled for October 1 in New York.
