Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris exceeded expectations with a calm demeanor, effective attacks and the ability to put Donald Trump on the defense in the first debate between them.

According to a New York TimesIn the presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris shook hands with former President Donald Trump when she took the stage, and then spent the next 90 minutes making every effort to burrow into his skin. The candidates' handshake was the first in a presidential debate since 2016.

The first to speak, for two minutes, was the Democratic candidate, who opened the debate with the topic of the economy and the cost of living.

"I was raised in the middle class and I'm the only person on this stage with a plan to lift up the middle class and working people of America. I believe in the ambition, the aspirations, the dreams of Americans and that's why I envision having a plan to build what will be an economy of opportunity."

According to the vice-president, "the lack of housing and the cost of housing is too high for many people". "I have a vision for this country," said Kamala Harris, adding that: "I intend to extend the tax cut for those with children, so that young families can buy a crib, a car seat, clothes for the baby."

He then invoked his own family history to say that he loves "small and medium-sized businesses" and promised to cut taxes for them. "My opponent is going to do the opposite, cut taxes for millionaires."

Donald Trump began his speech by responding to his opponent: "First of all, there is no sales tax and that is completely wrong."

The Republican candidate denied her opposition on the economy and recalled that he had applied tariffs to "several countries in the world". "A billion dollars came from China."

Donald Trump also criticized inflation: "In my case, there were tariffs. There was no inflation."

After the economic part, Donald Trump went on the attack about migration: "Thousands of people are coming into the country and taking it over," he continued, blaming migrants for taking many American jobs.

"These are the people that this lady and President Biden let into our country and are destroying it," Trump attacked. "Dangerous people. They are at the highest level of criminality. We have to get them out of the country."

Meanwhile, Kamala Harris was quick to respond. "Donald Trump left us with the highest unemployment rate since the Great Depression. He left us the worst epidemic in a century. Donald Trump left us the worst attack on democracy since the Civil War," Kamala countered.

"What we did was clean up what he did. What I intend to do is build what we know are the aspirations and hopes of the American people."

"You're going to hear a lot of lies in this debate," he continued. "You're going to hear about the so-called 'Project 2025' that he wants to implement," referring to the Heritage Foundation program made by some of Trump's collaborators, from which he has distanced himself.

Towards the end, the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, proposed a second presidential debate against the former president and Republican opponent, Donald Trump.

"Under bright lights, the American people were able to see the choice they will face this fall at the polls: between moving forward with Kamala Harris or turning back with Trump. That's what they saw tonight and what they should see in a second debate in October," Democratic campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon said in a statement.

"Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?" she questioned.

In the press room immediately after Tuesday's debate, Trump didn't commit to more debates, advocating that the vice president is only asking for another head-to-head because she "lost".

"The reason you do a second debate is if you lose, and they lost," Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity.

"But I'll think about it," he added, about the possibility of a second confrontation with the Democratic candidate

The Republican candidate also admitted that he was "very happy with the result" of his performance.

(Photo DR)