Trump Tries to Mimic Harris’ Iconic Debate Moment but Stumbles on Foreign Policy
Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty
During Tuesday night’s debate, former President Donald Trump appeared to attempt a callback to one of Vice President Kamala Harris’ most memorable moments from her 2020 debate with Mike Pence, when she famously told him to stop interrupting her. This time, the context was a heated exchange over Trump’s record on Eastern European security and his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Harris had just criticized Trump for his cozy relationship with Putin, saying, “Our NATO allies are so thankful that you are no longer president and that we understand the importance of the greatest military alliance the world has ever known, which is NATO”, reported Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
She continued, highlighting the Biden administration’s support for Ukraine in its fight for independence. “And what we have done to preserve the ability of [Ukrainian President] Zelenskyy and the Ukrainians to fight for their independence. Otherwise, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv with his eyes on the rest of Europe, starting with Poland. And why don’t you tell the 800,000 Polish-Americans right here in Pennsylvania how quickly you would give up, for the sake of favor, and what you think is a friendship with what is known to be a dictator who would eat you for lunch.”
As Trump tried to interject, despite his mic being muted, moderator David Muir allowed him a chance to respond. Trump defended his stance, but his reply took an unusual turn. “Putin would be sitting in Moscow and he wouldn’t have lost 300,000 men and women, but he would have been sitting in Moscow,” Trump claimed.
When Harris attempted to chime in, Trump sought to take control of the moment by telling her, “Quiet, please.” He then continued, stating, “He would have been sitting in Moscow much happier than he is right now. But eventually, you know, he’s got a thing that other people don’t have. He’s got nuclear weapons. They don’t ever talk about that.”
The exchange was notable as Trump tried to invoke a commanding presence similar to Harris’ iconic interruption moment from 2020 but ended up delivering a meandering defense that focused more on his take on Putin’s situation than on providing a clear counter to Harris’ critique. Harris’ sharp rebuke and Trump’s stumbling response left a stark contrast in their handling of foreign policy, especially concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and relations with NATO allies.
