In a striking departure from President Joe Biden’s performance in his July debate, Kamala Harris showcased a commanding presence at the ABC prime-time debate in Philadelphia.

The media consensus favored Harris, the Democratic Presidential nominee, over her Republican opponent, Donald Trump. ABC News highlighted Harris’s confident and assertive approach, contrasting sharply with Trump’s reliance on falsehoods and conspiracies. Harris’s early attacks effectively placed Trump on the defensive.

Politico deemed Harris the clear winner, noting her adeptness at unsettling Trump with strategic provocations. They described her performance as decisive and dominant.

The New York Times praised Harris for "owning much of the night," leveraging her prosecutorial skills to keep Trump on the defensive. The Times observed that Trump was forced to defend his own record rather than challenge Harris’s stance.

Trump's performance, according to the Times, was marked by a dismal demeanor and a focus on fringe theories, including bizarre claims about immigrants. Harris, in contrast, was well-prepared and successfully led Trump into uncomfortable territory.

The Washington Post echoed this sentiment, pointing out Trump’s frequent detours into debunked theories and his struggle to stay factual. Harris’s ability to counter Trump’s attacks effectively was noted as a contrast to Biden’s less impactful debate in July.

Fox News, while attempting a balanced perspective, emphasized Trump’s contentious exchanges with the debate moderators over factual accuracy.

The debate marked the first televised clash between Trump and Harris, with the latest polls showing a tight race. While Trump initially led in national polls, Harris's strong debate performance has led to a close contest, with the Democrat holding a slight edge.