Trump v. Harris: The Clash of Debate Culture

Former President Donald Trump speaking at a rally in Aston, PA on Sept. 13. Photo by Michael Vadon on Flickr.

In the last 15 years, American political debates have changed dramatically, leading to an important question: have these new debate styles improved our discussions or complicated political engagement? As we explore this evolution, we need to consider what it means for our country — are we seeing a revival of lively debate, or are we sliding into chaos?

It was apparent in the recent exchange between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris at their recent presidential debate.

Although the format and content of debates have changed significantly, they remain a fundamental component of American democracy. 

The times when politicians had serious, policy-based conversations are long gone. Instead, we frequently see blatantly false performances full of exaggeration and inappropriate comments. Many politicians exaggerate to their advantage, causing the practice of fact-checking to skyrocket. Numerous Americans have begun to wonder if the political debate format of today is worse than that of the past.

During the most recent debate, Trump and Harris displayed different approaches. Trump answered the questions at a faster pace and addressed them head-on. 

"It felt like Trump was more personal, whereas Kamala was stronger. She was more effective…staying on track, and she got him off-track," said Ben Leeds '26. 

Trump’s style, although engaging, usually came with opportunities for misinformation. Trump was perceived by many Americans as having steered the debate away from important subjects and toward fears like immigrants harming pets and starting a third world war. 

Despite the rules stating that candidates' microphones would only be on during their speaking time, the debate permitted them to question and cut each other off. Throughout the debate, Harris would cut off Trump and vice versa. One ironic moment that caught viewers' attention was when Trump said, “I’m talking now if you don’t mind, please. Does that sound familiar?” referencing the 2020 vice presidential debate against then-Vice President Mike Pence and Harris.

Harris gave the impression of answering more casually, yet firmly. Nonetheless, a lot of viewers thought she didn't fully explain her plans and came across as "wishy-washy," particularly when questioned by moderators, who frequently asked questions to get specific answers.  

Online humor has been a common response to the debate, especially on TikTok and Instagram, where users have created viral videos based on the candidates' comments. A dancing trend has emerged from Trump saying, “They're eating the dogs, they're eating the cats.” Another video of President Joe Biden wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat and humorously warning the crowd to “Remember, no eating dogs or cats” has also gone viral and brought laughter to online viewers.

While comedy can help to soften the tone of serious subjects, discussing presidential qualifications can feel unprofessional due to the chaotic nature of the debate, resulting in jokes and memes made out of debate moments.

“I don’t think memes have much of an impact. It makes it less serious, but that’s what I expected. Obama and Romney were very respectful, and if memes were spreading then, I think it would have been more harmful because the debate style was more serious,” said Grace Masciarelli ‘26. “With Trump, I feel like it's kind of expected and a part of the debate. If their goal is to connect with Gen Z, they are getting the media attention, but I don’t think that will get them the vote.” 

It's evident when one looks back at previous debates, like the one in 2012 between Mitt Romney and former President Barack Obama, that those conversations were more professional and respectful. In contrast, today's debates can be chaotic, as candidates shout over each other, trade insults, and make questionable claims. 

“I have seen clips of Obama and Romney’s debate, and they are more civil, and I believe we are trying to get back to that. There will always be a divide, and we want to hear the other side and not just assume we will disagree with them,” said Leeds.

Do today's presidential debates promote thoughtful dialogues, or do they just serve to further polarization and miscommunication?

The attention-grabbing nature of today's political debates frequently comes at the expense of context and etiquette. The latest Trump-Harris debate clearly illustrates the importance of reconsidering our methods for approaching the political conversation. 

Moving forward, it’s essential to prioritize meaningful conversations over clickbait moments and inappropriate debate behavior, ensuring that the future of America is rooted in understanding, rather than division.