OMG, like, the first 2024 presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump was, like, so wild and chaotic! I mean, it was like two totally different worlds colliding, and both of them were throwing shade left and right. And honestly, fact-checkers were, like, so busy because some of the things they said were just… not even close to reality, you know? I mean, objectively, Donald Trump gave a lot more “fake news” but Harris had a few, too.

And girl, just not sure what the point of it all was? There was almost no mention of policies, proposals, and plans for the future. Like, how is this supposed to help the American people make a decision this November?!

Here’s a brief summary:

January 6 Drama

Okay, so Trump was, like, still talking about January 6, and he was, like, totally blaming Nancy Pelosi for what happened. He said she was in charge of Capitol security, and that’s why things went wrong. But, um, no. Fact-checkers were like, “Nope!” It wasn’t just her, okay? It’s, like, way more complicated than that, and Mitch McConnell also had a role in Capitol security. So, sorry, Trump, that’s not the full story​.

Then Kamala came in hot and was, like, “Police officers died because of January 6!” But, um, fact-checkers had to step in and be, like, “Not exactly, girl.” No police officers actually died on that day. Five officers died later—one from a stroke the next day and others by suicide afterward. So, it’s not totally wrong, but it’s not 100% right either​.

Defunding the Police

Trump also went off and said Harris wanted to defund the police—like, full-on cut them off. But, that’s not really true either. What she actually said in 2020 was more about, like, rethinking public safety and shifting some police funding to, like, community programs. But she didn’t, like, want to get rid of the police completely. So, like, let’s calm down on that claim.

The Pet Eating Rumor

Okay, so this was, like, crazy. Trump talked about a rumor that immigrants in Ohio were eating, like, pets because they were so hungry. But, like, NO. That was already fact-checked, and police literally said it wasn’t true. It was just, like, some Facebook rumor gone wild, and Trump is still talking about it. Super awkward.

Health Care Confusion

So then, Trump went on to say he “saved” the Affordable Care Act. But, like, what? Fact-checkers were, like, no way. Trump actually tried to get rid of the ACA multiple times, and when he couldn’t, he made it super hard for people to use it by cutting funding for things like advertising and making it easier for companies to offer, like, super basic plans that didn’t cover much. The number of people without health insurance actually went up during his presidency​.

Taliban Tea

Kamala threw some serious shade, saying Trump invited the Taliban to Camp David, and like, yeah, that actually happened. It was in 2019, but Trump canceled the meeting after the Taliban killed a U.S. soldier. He still ended up signing a peace deal with them in 2020, so it’s not like that’s false or anything.

Transgender Rights in Prison

Then Trump was like, “Harris wants transgender surgery for illegal aliens in prison!” And, like, what? But fact-checkers were like, “Okay, well, this one’s kinda true, but also not what she’s running on right now.” Harris did support that in the past, but it’s not, like, a main point in her 2024 campaign. She had supported providing medically necessary care, including gender transition surgery, for inmates in federal prisons back in 2019​.

What Does This Mean for the Election?

It’s super clear that this election will be all about which side can better manage the narrative.

First off, all these fact-checked falsehoods and exaggerations might, like, make voters super skeptical. If people can’t trust what the candidates are saying, they might, like, start looking at their policies and track records more closely. For Trump, the ongoing drama around January 6 and the healthcare misinformation could reinforce some negative perceptions of his leadership. On the flip side, Harris’s somewhat misleading statements might give Trump supporters more ammunition to argue that she’s not fully truthful or reliable.

Then there’s, like, the impact of the debate style. The wild back-and-forth and constant fact-checking could energize partisan bases, but it might also turn off undecided voters who are looking for, like, more substance and less drama. This chaotic debate could, therefore, either galvanize the loyal base or drive moderates away, which could seriously impact the overall voter turnout and preferences.

So, OMG, if this is what debates are going to be like, buckle up! The outcome of the election could hinge on how well each candidate manages to handle these controversies and whether they can shift focus back to their policy proposals in a way that resonates with the voters. It’s gonna be a rollercoaster, for sure, so keep your eyes peeled for the next moves in this totally unpredictable election season!

XOXO,
Valley Girl News