The recent U.S. presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris has garnered significant attention from the international community. With the upcoming November election expected to have far-reaching consequences for U.S. policy abroad, various countries around the world have been closely watching the candidates’ performances on the debate stage. The reactions of the global press to the debate highlighted stark differences compared to Trump’s previous debate appearances, with much of the focus now on his performance rather than on Biden’s cognitive abilities.
In the United Kingdom, the press appeared to be divided in its evaluations of Trump’s debate performance against Harris. Right-leaning publications like The Telegraph described Harris as having successfully flustered Trump, putting him on the defensive. The Times of London, known for its conservative leanings, criticized Trump for failing to appeal to moderate voters and focusing on debunked claims. However, The Sun presented a more mixed view of the debate, with some reports highlighting Trump’s attacks on Harris while others criticized his talking points.
In France, top publications like Le Monde and L’Express declared Harris as the winner of the debate, with headlines emphasizing her offensive approach against Trump. Similarly, in Germany, Deutsche Welle reported that pollsters showed Harris narrowly winning over Trump in the debate. While the debate may not have a direct impact on U.S. voters, the international press in these countries overwhelmingly viewed Harris as the stronger debater.
Russian media largely downplayed coverage of the U.S. debate, with state-owned outlets like TASS and RIA Novosti providing limited commentary. However, one report from RIA Novosti focused on Trump’s closing remarks criticizing Germany’s energy policies, prompting a response from the German Foreign Office that included a jab at Trump’s previous comments. In Ukraine, reports honed in on Trump’s claims regarding the ongoing conflict with Russia and the lack of clarity on his plans for dealing with the situation. Israeli publications also covered the debate extensively, with Harris being perceived as the frontrunner and successfully exploiting Trump’s weaknesses on the debate stage.
Overall, the international reactions to the U.S. presidential debate between Trump and Harris painted a picture of Harris as the dominant force in the exchange. While Trump faced criticism for his defensive stance and focus on attacking his opponent, Harris was praised for her confident and controlled demeanor. The global press closely scrutinized the candidates’ performances and highlighted the key moments of the debate, providing an insightful perspective on how the world views the U.S. political landscape and its potential impact on international relations.
