Trump, Triggered

Kamala Harris expertly manipulated Trump. It won her the debate. Can it win her the White House? Staff writers Elaine Godfrey and Mark Leibovich to explore the potential long term effects of Tuesday's drama.

[Virtual-Media]

Considering a potential leader of the free world could be so easily manipulated by someone is by itself disqualifying.

[cornflake]

It's easy to trigger a narcissist.

[Rugelacharugula]

I can attest to the fear & devastation that comes w a miscarriage. Even *with* the right med care. It was cathartic to hear KH *spell out* the ghoulish acts of the GOP on women & girls, and put it all *ON HIM.*

[Tahir_Ali]

Teacher. “So just to make sure you did not do your homework.”

Trump. “Well I have a concept of an essay”

[JPIndustrie]

Kamala had the look of “I can’t believe how well that line worked!” 😂😂😂😂

[awsomealex]

She introduced herself because this is the 1st time they've ever met face to face, remember, Trump did not participate in Bidens inauguration

[fluxfaze]

Most disturbing debate moment: Trump’s fixation on fictitious neonatal terminations.

[dianadeane]

“Strong men are strong” is like “an island is surrounded by water, big water, wet water” 💦

[MsDebSteeves]

He's everything that is wrong with the world...

[RaeRaesRaveReviews]

addressing your point of whether Kamala can speak in a presidential way or not: Why in the world would you criticize her for this when the other candidate has proven time and again that he is not presidential? It boggles the mind -- you (as an organization) consistently give Trump a pass for things that you then hold against other candidates. This is why I can't take the Atlantic seriously anymore.

[salassian]

1:02 "Something didn't go wrong" for trump. Rather, he got his a** handed to him by someone who prepared for the event with policies, facts and strategies.
All trump offered was anger.

[hanscrushonauntielina]

I feel like people keep missing the true highlight of her puppeteering. She ended her Rally commentary with, "He doesn't care about you; he never discusses *your* needs, your desires. I *do* care about you." (paraphrased) - and he immediately responded with *the* most selfish sentiment he could have possibly responded with, by not rebutting or even pretending to care about the people of this country, but by defending how fucking cool and sickdope his rallies are. His ego required him to immediately defend *his* rallies, and *his* image, first and foremost. Because she was exactly right; he doesn't care about *anyone* but himself.

[sofisa]

I feel that the political commentators hold Kamala at such high bar for what she DID NOT say while holding Trump in such a low bar just glossing over his idiotic comments at the debate. These two women commenting feel particularly catty towards KH, they remind me of those mean girls in high school. Trump is not an easy person to debate on the substance, ask Hillary, Kamala had to assert her dominance over this stupid man, there is no other way or enough time to do much during a debate. Policy cannot be totally presented in two minutes but we have a vision of what she is, and I feel she is a pragmatic.

[knpark]

As a Korean it is a refreshing moment to hear Westerners say "they are eating the dogs" and not saying it at us😂😂

[bblueblue]

Why are you Atlantic podcasters questioning if Harris could speak extemporaneously without the aid of a teleprompter? Are you forgetting she was a litigator, and eventually an attorney general? 😄

[sarahchristine]

It’s INSANE to me that he openly supports dictators, and refuses to commit to protecting Ukraine, and so many people STILL plan to vote for him!! What’s wrong with you people, it’s in our American DNA to HATE tyrants & dictators, so what in the actual f are we doing?? Have they lost their collective minds?

[wendyhart]

Kamala had so many things that she needed to do in this debate: tell people more about her, show strength/presidential presence, point out the differences in the two candidates and their vision for the future. Were there points where she could have done something more… sure. I think she dominated a bully and made him show how clearly inept he is. I was cheering.

[lupemorales]

Listen- he was dragging his feet. He was hoping to drag it out. He had no intention to shake her hand. She shook his hand and said her name. This is how you say my name! The rest is history. And a blur to Trump. This is why he kept telling everyone who would listen he won the debate. He kept moving to the right of the lectern as far as he could go. Do you all remember the video that shows him at the break, saying something, dripping in perspiration, and letting out a sigh of relief. I guess his ego was such that he thought he didn’t need to prep. He probably thought she was beneath him. I really didn’t know anything about the pets until later. I really was in shock. Come on- you have two minutes to talk about your plans over the next four years. Two minutes! Priorities folks in two minutes! She is elaborating on these issues on the campaign trail. Yes- I would love to hear more, but even the moderators had time limits. She was amazing! We all know it. Undecideds- get on board. Vote Blue! God bless America. Blessings to all.

[sharongillesp]

Very informative discussion. Thank you.

[Blackbird]

"...they're eating the dawgs!" I'll never forget that!