Harris Takes Lead Over Trump in ABC's First Presidential Debate, CNN Poll Reveals

The first presidential debate hosted by ABC between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris has concluded, with a flood of reactions from viewers and political commentators alike. Despite accusations from critics claiming ABC News, owned by Disney, was biased in favor of Harris, the event left little doubt for many onlookers. Even Trump labeled the debate “rigged,” yet initial feedback suggests that Harris came out on top.

A CNN flash poll conducted among debate viewers shows Harris decisively leading, with 63% of registered voters declaring her the winner. In contrast, only 37% of respondents favored Trump. The poll surveyed 605 registered US voters who watched the debate via text message, with many initially expecting a more balanced outcome between the two candidates.

Trump is no stranger to contentious debates. While he managed to best Joe Biden in CNN’s previous presidential debate, he similarly faced uphill battles in 2020 and 2016, when viewers favored Biden and Hillary Clinton, respectively, over him.

Harris Wins Over Independents

The debate also saw Harris making significant gains among independent voters. Following the event, her favorability rating jumped by six points, reaching 45%, while Trump’s rating saw a slight drop, falling two points to 39%. When asked which candidate best understood the concerns of everyday Americans, voters were nearly split, with 44% siding with Harris and 40% with Trump.

Interestingly, the debate had little impact on the overall voter base. A large 82% of respondents said the debate wouldn’t influence their vote, while 14% suggested they might reconsider their choice, though likely wouldn’t change their minds. Only 4% of those surveyed said the debate swayed them enough to alter their decision.

Trump Holds Economic Advantage

While Harris made notable progress in several areas, Trump retained his lead on economic matters. According to the CNN poll, Trump held a 20-point advantage in voter confidence regarding his ability to manage the economy, with 55% backing him compared to 35% for Harris. This gap widened slightly after the debate, underscoring the enduring appeal of Trump’s economic message among voters.