Faith Nyasuguta
Muted microphones were a massive point of contention ahead of Tuesday’s debate, with host ABC News choosing to silence candidates when it wasn’t their turn to speak.This move came despite Kamala Harris advocating for live microphones throughout the event, possibly expecting any unguarded moments from Donald Trump to benefit her campaign.
However, there were several off-mic exchanges that were still captured by a pool reporter who attended the debate, which had no audience present. Interestingly, more off-microphone remarks and reactions came from Harris than from Trump. At one point, the former President even used Harris’ well-known line, “I’m speaking,” against her.
Here’s a closer look at everything Harris and Trump said when the microphones were off:
- 9:10 pm: In response to Harris saying he doesn’t have an economic plan for the American people, Trump said, “That’s just a soundbite. They gave her that to say.”
- 9:14 pm: After Trump said the US barely makes electronic chips anymore, Harris said, “Not true. That’s not true.”
- 9:16 pm: When Trump said Democrats support abortion in the ninth month, Harris said “C’mon,” “no,” and “that’s not true,” according to the pool.
- 9:25 pm: “You have not. Come on,” Harris whispered after Trump said he’d been a leader on IVF.
- 9:28 pm: Harris “threw her head back in laughter,” per the pool, after Trump said people don’t attend her rallies.
- 9:29 pm: Harris was incredulous about Trump’s claims of immigrants eating cats and dogs. “What? This is unbelievable,” she said.
- 9:34 pm: Harris also said it was “not true” after Trump said crime was down around the world but spiking in the US.
- 9:35 pm: Trump “gasped” when Harris broached his criminal indictments and convictions, according to the pool.
- 9:39 pm: “She is the one that weaponized,” Trump said, claiming the prosecutions against him are politically motivated.
- 9:42 pm: Harris said “that’s not true” both after Trump accused her of being against fracking and for defunding the police. After he told her he was speaking, she said, “Don’t lie.”
- 9:59 pm: “Come on,” Harris said, after Trump accused her of hating Israel.
- 10:12 pm: “Excuse me, I have to respond to that,” Trump said, after Harris quipped Putin would eat him for lunch.
- 10:27 pm: “She has a plan to destroy our country,” Trump said — to which Harris retorted, “That’s not true.”
- 10:29 pm: Harris laughed when Trump said he had a “concept” of a healthcare plan.
- 10:34 pm: After Trump said the US was bleeding manufacturing jobs, Harris said, “not true.”
- During their respective closing statements, Trump scoffed and Harris “shook her head repeatedly,” according to the pool.
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