Reactions to the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are coming in hot.
The current vice president and former president took the stage at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia Tuesday night for their first official debate as candidates for the top job. The 90-minute event was shocking and explosive – not to mention, full of falsehoods, largely on Trump’s part. CNN reporter Daniel Dale revealed that Trump made at least 33 false statements during the debate, including inflammatory comments about immigrants in Ohio eating their pets, while Harris made just one. Harris, though, was certainly not left off the hook, with ABC journalists pressuring her to directly answer questions about her stances on fracking, the war in Gaza, and immigration.
One of the more gripping-but-grounded moments of the debate came from Harris’ response to Trump’s comments about abortion, when he made false claims about the procedure being legal during the ninth month of pregnancy. “Nowhere in America is a woman carrying a pregnancy to term and asking for an abortion,” Harris plainly replied. “That is not happening. It’s insulting to the women of America.”
Well, the women of America are now speaking up themselves about the face-off between the Democrat and Republican contenders. We’ve rounded up six reactions – some from celebrities, some from politicians, some from activists. From the funny to the serious, these shared thoughts make it clear who their preference is to lead the country forward.
Dionne Warwick. (Credit: Montclair Film, Wikimedia Commons)
“[He’s] doing all that yelling and lying.” – Dionne Warwick
The iconic soul singer reacted to Trump’s conduct and demeanor after the debate on X, formerly Twitter, in a way that was equal parts hilarious and truthful. Warwick, 83, is no stranger to sharing her thoughts on social media, having even been named the “Queen of Twitter” in the past. Yet while Warwick was once friends with Trump years ago, and performed in his casinos, she now says she doesn’t “know who this man is” or “know what happened to him,” per the Los Angeles Times. “To me, he’s a frightening entity,” she added. “I distance myself from people like that.”
Alexis McGill Johnson. (Credit: Planned Parenthood Action Fund)
“‘I have concepts of a plan…’ Yeah… concepts to ban abortion nationwide.” – Alexis McGill Johnson, President of Planned Parenthood
When it comes to Trump’s stance on abortion, Johnson – along with 72% of reproductive-age women – believes that abortion should be legal in all (or at least most) cases. And as a member of Planned Parenthood’s leadership team for over 15 years, she knows firsthand the devastating impacts of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Johnson stressed the importance of the upcoming election, and the impact it, too, will have on women – especially with Trump likely to enact Project 2025, a collection of policies that would, among other things, see abortion further restricted throughout the nation. “The debate might be over, but the fight for reproductive freedom is not,” she posted on X. “Our future’s on the ballot. Our bodies are on the ballot. We will decide this election.”
Michelle Obama speaking with Hillary Clinton supporters during an Arizona rally in 2016. (Credit: Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons)
“After tonight’s debate there should be no doubt – no room for discussion – Kamala Harris is the only candidate in this race who is ready to be President.” – Michelle Obama
The former FLOTUS has been a vocal supporter of Harris’ campaign for the presidency since it launched in July. With her latest post on X, Obama makes it clear once more that she feels Harris is better suited to be president, a statement that she’s reiterated several times on various social media platforms and during speeches, including at the Democratic National Convention last month. Still, it will take the support of voters to make this moment a reality, she notes. “I am once again urging everyone to roll up their sleeves and DO SOMETHING,” she wrote online. “We cannot afford to have anyone sitting on the sidelines. There’s simply too much at stake.”
Keke Palmer attending comic con in 2015. (Credit: Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons)
“Chewed.” – Keke Palmer
In just one word, the actress and singer revealed who she thought won the debate — and to be clear, it wasn’t Trump. From Harris’ cogent responses about the need for policies that protect abortion and insurance access, to her ability to get under Trump’s skin about audience sizes at his rallies, Harris clearly came ready to fight for the role. On the other hand, Trump’s puerile behavior and outlandish responses to Harris – along with using his final remarks to continuously attack her – showed Trump was no match to her, Palmer and others say. This is why, in Palmer’s words, he got “chewed” up and spit out.
Taylor Swift's Instagram post endorsing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz after the debate. (Credit: Taylor Swift, Instagram)
“I’m voting for Kamala Harris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them.” – Taylor Swift
After months of silence on her political stance, the pop princess has finally spoken: She’s voting for Harris. The billionaire sent shockwaves across social media after publishing a lengthy Instagram post Tuesday night, in which she revealed her support of Harris and running mate Tim Walz. In the post, Swift acknowledged – and distanced herself from – the altered AI images falsely endorsing Trump on her behalf, while also expressing the importance of conducting one’s own research on issues that matter to them most. The icing on the cake, however, was the nod to Trump running mate J.D. Vance’s previous comments attacking women without kids – a simple sign-off that read: “With love and hope, Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady.”
Mini Timmaraju speaking to Hillary Clinton supporters at an Arizona event in 2016. (Credit: Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons)
“THIS is what we were waiting for.” – Mini Timmaraju, President of Reproductive Freedom For All
Ahead of the debate, Timmaraju expressed her excitement to see Harris nail Trump on abortion – and feels she delivered. As CEO of one of the biggest reproductive rights groups in the nation, she’s clearly invested. Especially because, Timmaraju says, Trump was proud to overturn Roe v. Wade, and has made it clear that he supports a national abortion ban – regardless of what he might say in some spaces where a softer stance is politically advantageous to him. She also emphasizes the clear differences between the two candidates, asserting that Harris would be the better choice for women. “[Harris] WILL restore a national right to abortion,” Timmaraju said in her post. “The contrast [between her and Trump] couldn’t be clearer.”