In a heated showdown, voters from across the political spectrum have unanimously declared Kamala Harris the victor of the first presidential debate against former President Donald Trump, according to a Fox News Digital focus group.
The highly anticipated presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump has garnered significant attention not only within the United States but also overseas. The results of this debate are widely seen as having potential consequences for U.S. policy abroad, prompting close scrutiny from the international community.
In the United Kingdom, the media was largely critical of Trump's performance under pressure from Harris, who was widely praised for her ability to unsettle him. The Telegraph described Harris' strategy as "attacking Trump with vigor" while characterizing his response as "furious" and "rambling." The Times of London noted that Trump "struggled" throughout the debate, while the Sun highlighted his reliance on debunked claims and his apparent "meltdown" over unsubstantiated allegations about migrants.
Decisive Verdict: Voters Crown Kamala Harris Winner of Presidential Debate
French media outlets unanimously awarded Harris the win. Le Monde proclaimed that Harris "on offense, wins debate against Trump," while L'Express stated that Harris "has started to bang on Trump" and had outmaneuvered him.
In Germany, public broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported that Harris "narrowly won" over Trump based on polls. However, the outlet also noted that the debate is not likely to significantly influence U.S. voters, an assessment echoed by commentators in the U.S.
Decisive Verdict: Voters Crown Kamala Harris Winner of Presidential Debate
State-run Russian media largely ignored the debate, with TASS not mentioning it on its homepage. However, RIA Novosti published a report titled "Trump is doomed," highlighting negative reactions to his performance.
In Ukraine, where the outcome of the U.S. election could have significant implications, reports focused on the debate's heated exchange on the issue of Russia's invasion. While the Kyiv Independent did not pronounce a clear winner, it emphasized the combative nature of the discussion over Ukraine's fate.
Decisive Verdict: Voters Crown Kamala Harris Winner of Presidential Debate
Israeli publications covered the debate extensively, with Harris being widely seen as the frontrunner. Israel Hayom described her as "exuding confidence and control," while the Jerusalem Post characterized the debate as "predictable" but noted that Trump's "apocalyptic prediction" about Israel's demise under Harris was a "reach."
Mexican news outlet El Universal did not declare a clear winner but reported that Harris had impressed commentators with her preparation and performance. Political analysts argued that Harris had "demolished" Trump and passed a crucial test following Biden's poor debate showing in July.
Decisive Verdict: Voters Crown Kamala Harris Winner of Presidential Debate
Chinese state-run media remained largely silent on the debate, despite Trump's tariffs being a prominent topic. When pressed for comment, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning declined, stating that Beijing opposes making China an issue in U.S. elections.
