Harris-Trump debate becomes US 2024 election's latest landmark event

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00:00It is their first, could well be their last as well, and whatever the outcome, it could be crucial to this November's US presidential election.

00:08Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are said to clash in the potentially game-changing debate later today.

00:13The stakes could hardly be higher for both the Democratic vice president and Republican former president,

00:18as tens of millions of American voters are said to tune in to see them finally face off.

00:24A single zinger or a single gaffe could well tip the balance.

00:28Let's hear first of all from some voters.

00:31As far as the election goes, there's no question in my mind that myself and my wife will be voting for Kamala Harris.

00:41The opponent, Mr. Trump, is bad news for this country, I think.

00:47Trump is Trump, so I like him because he's very outspoken, so we know what to expect from Trump.

00:57And it's definitely more or less the wallet part of things. I need lower taxes.

01:05Well, me and probably about 80% of my friends and acquaintances are going to be voting for Harris.

01:11But honestly, for Pennsylvania, I'm not entirely sure, but my gut tells me it's going Pittsburgh and Philly for Harris.

01:18Everywhere else is probably going to fall Trump, which is typical.

01:21Earlier, we spoke to correspondent David Smith in Washington.

01:27It could well be for both candidates, really, an absolutely crucial moment and perhaps more for Kamala Harris,

01:33because she's still an unknown quantity to many American voters.

01:38This has all happened at breakneck speed, much faster than a normal American election.

01:43She's only been a presumptive nominee or nominee for a couple of months.

01:48And you hear from voters that they still don't know that much about her and certainly don't know much about her policies.

01:55As is always the case, a vice president does tend to be somewhat in the shadows

02:00and not be followed closely by the national media or by voters.

02:05So far, she's only done one national TV interview since becoming the official nominee.

02:11That was on CNN a couple of weeks ago.

02:13She acquitted herself well, but it wasn't particularly long or detailed on policy.

02:19So this will be her biggest and best opportunity to really define herself for the American public

02:26and hope to define herself before the Trump campaign does it from their side of things.

02:33And she'll be able to explain about her life and career and how it informs what kind of commander in chief she would be.

02:42But for Donald Trump also, he is now the most experienced presidential debater in general elections in history.

02:49This will be his seventh.

02:51He'll also be closely watched for how does he conduct himself?

02:55Can he stay disciplined?

02:58David Smith and we will, of course, show that debate for you tonight here on France 24.

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