The highly anticipated debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump featured both candidates on the offensive, with Harris attacking Trump's character and Trump denouncing the current administration's record on the economy and immigration.
POLITICAL declared Harris the winner, citing how she “repeatedly baited him and threw him off balance.” Trump, evaluating his performance, said Fox News it was “his best debate ever, especially because it was three to one,” referring to fact-checking by ABC News moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis.
Here are the latest reactions from business leaders, influencers and market analysts:
Elon Musk
X's CEO posted: “While I don't think the moderators were fair @realDonaldTrump, @KamalaHarris exceeded most people's expectations tonight. That said, when it comes to getting things done, not just saying nice words, I strongly believe that Trump will do a much better job. After all, if Kamala can do great things, why not? Biden rarely shows up for work, so she's basically already in charge. The question comes down to this: do you want the current trends to continue for another 4 years or do you want change?”
While I do not think that the leaders of the debate were fair @realDonaldTrump, @KamalaHarris exceeded most people's expectations tonight.
That said, when it comes to getting things done, not just saying nice words, I strongly believe that Trump will do a much better job.
After…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 11, 2024
Taylor Swift
The singer posted on Instagram: “Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight. If you haven't already, now is a great time to do your research on the issues at hand and the positions these candidates take on the issues that matter. . for you mostly.” She continued, officially declaring her support for Harris. “I am voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for rights and causes, I believe she needs a warrior to defend them.”
Stephen King
The horror icon wrote on X: “Politics man, America saw a man who has no business being near the levers of power. Simply put, he's crazy.”
Politics aside, America saw a man who has no business being near the levers of power. Simply put, he's crazy.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) September 11, 2024
Bill Ackerman
The CEO of Pershing Square wrote on X: “Why do moderators only fact check @realDonaldTrump and not @KamalaHarris?
Why do the moderators check only the facts? @realDonaldTrump and no @KamalaHarris?
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) September 11, 2024
Quincy Crosby
Global Chief Strategist for LPL Financial told Reuters: “It was easy on the specifics on both sides, and I think those who stick with Trump will believe that he won the debate and those who are loyal to the Democrats will think that she won the debate.”
Eric Beyrich
Portfolio Manager at Sound Income Strategies told Reuters: “He didn't give us clarity, and she revealed that she's much further to the left than she's previously presented, as seen in her comments about health care being a basic right. I don't think it's going to be well received by the markets, or that they will be very happy about what it says about its policies more broadly. What the market would like to see are some rational economic policies, and there was little to give them comfort in this debate.