Trump-Harris debate ratings/ Trump-Harris debate fact-checking/ debate viewership numbers/ Newslooks/ Washington/ The highly anticipated debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump attracted 67.1 million viewers, marking a significant increase from the June debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, which drew 51.3 million. With Harris widely seen as the debate winner, the event sparked strong reactions, particularly regarding the ABC moderators’ fact-checking of Trump’s statements.
Trump-Harris Debate Viewership Surges: Quick Looks
- 67 Million Viewers: An estimated 67.1 million people watched Tuesday’s debate, up from 51.3 million in June.
- ABC Moderators: The ABC debate moderators fact-checked Trump on key issues, drawing praise and criticism.
- Harris’ Performance: Harris was widely seen as having outperformed Trump, leading to backlash from Trump’s supporters.
- Upcoming Debate: While no other presidential debates are currently scheduled, CBS will host a vice-presidential debate.
Presidential Debate Viewership Surges to 67M for Trump-Harris Faceoff
Deep Look
Tuesday night’s presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump drew an impressive 67.1 million viewers, a sharp rise from the 51.3 million who watched the June debate between Trump and President Joe Biden. According to Nielsen, the debate aired across 17 networks, with ABC News taking the lead as the primary broadcaster.
Although the debate didn’t set a record for presidential debate viewership, it came close. For context, 84 million people watched the first debate between Trump and Hillary Clinton in 2016, while 73.1 million tuned in for the first Biden-Trump debate in 2020. Still, the high stakes of Tuesday’s event contributed to its widespread interest, especially as it followed Biden’s decision to exit the race after a poor performance in the June debate.
The Impact of Moderators and Fact-Checking
ABC moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis played a significant role in this debate by stepping in to fact-check Trump on several key points, including abortion, immigration, the 2020 election, and violent crime. While fact-checking during debates has become a contentious issue, the moderators’ efforts drew both praise and criticism depending on political perspectives.
For instance, MSNBC commentator Chris Hayes tweeted that the moderators did an “excellent” job, a sentiment echoed by some on the left. However, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro expressed disdain for the fact-checking, referring to it as evidence of bias. Trump and his supporters also voiced frustration with the moderators, alleging unfair treatment.
Harris’ Performance and Debate Reactions
Harris’ strong performance was widely noted, with many political commentators agreeing that she had outperformed Trump in the debate. Her composed responses and ability to counter Trump’s statements seemed to resonate with a significant portion of viewers.
However, the fact-checking and the format of the debate led to intense scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum. For Trump supporters, the moderators’ interruptions appeared biased, while for others, it represented a necessary correction of misinformation.
Future Debates and What’s Next
As of now, no further presidential debates between Harris and Trump are scheduled, though there has been talk of additional matchups. Fox News Channel has expressed interest in hosting a future debate, though no details have been finalized. Meanwhile, CBS is preparing to host a vice-presidential debate between Tim Walz, running mate to Harris, and JD Vance, Trump’s vice-presidential pick.
