Key takeaways from the first heated Harris-Trump debate

Americans watched Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump debate for the first — and sure last — time on September 10 in Philadelphia, lower than two months before Election Day.

The two candidates clashed on stage, debating a big selection of issues, including the economy, abortion, foreign policy, immigration and even race.

Here are 4 key takeaways from the debate that black voters should take away before heading to the polls.

Harris focuses on middle class plan

Right from the get-go, the economy was the first topic of debate. As ABC moderator David Muir noted, the economy and the cost of living are the primary issue for voters.

While Harris dodged the first query of the night about whether she thinks Americans are higher off than they were 4 years ago, she did say she was the only candidate on stage who had a plan to enhance the situation for the middle class and dealing people in America.

“I’m going to extend the $6,000 tax cut for these families, which is the largest child tax credit we’ve given in a long time, so these young families can afford to buy a crib, a car seat, clothes for their children,” Harris said. “I love our small businesses. My plan is to give a $50,000 tax cut to small businesses that are starting up, knowing that they are the backbone of the American economy.”

Trump has said his economic plan involves increasing tariffs on imported goods.

“Other countries are finally going to pay us back, after 75 years, for all we’ve done for the world, and the tariffs are going to be significant,” Trump said.

Trump won’t answer whether he would veto a nationwide abortion ban

Harris and Trump had a lengthy exchange as ABC News moderators asked the candidates about the abortion issue. Trump has boasted in the past that he’s “proud” to be “the most pro-life president in American history.”

Moderators asked Trump twice if he would veto a nationwide abortion ban if he were re-elected.

Trump has reiterated his position that he believes in exceptions to abortion in cases of rape or incest.

He says, “I’m not signing a ban, and there’s no reason to sign a ban because we got what everybody wanted. Democrats, Republicans, everybody else, and every lawyer wanted to take it back to the states,” Trump said. “I’m not in favor of a ban on abortion, but that doesn’t matter because it’s now up to the states.”

When moderators asked Harris if she would support any restrictions on a lady’s right to an abortion, she responded, “I strongly support restoring the protections of Roe v. Wade.

Harris addresses Trump’s race controversy

Muir asked Trump about his accusation last month that he didn’t know Vice President Harris was black until she turned “black” a couple of years ago. Muir asked Trump if he thought it was appropriate to comment on his opponent’s racial identity.

“I don’t care who she is, I don’t care,” Trump replied. “You’re making a big deal out of something. I couldn’t care less. Whoever she wants to be is fine by me. … All I can say is I read that she wasn’t black, that she posted that, and I’ll say that. And then I read that she was black, and that’s fine.”

Harris responded to his comments by calling it a tragedy that Trump has tried to make use of race to divide Americans throughout his profession.

“Remember how Donald Trump started. He owned buildings and was under investigation because he refused to rent to black families,” Harris said. “Remember, this is the same person who took out a full-page ad in the New York Times calling for the execution of five young black and Latino boys who were innocent, the Central Park Five. (He) took out a full-page ad calling for their execution. This is the same person who spread lies about where the first black president of the United States was born. I think the American people want better.”

Trump Doubles Down on False Claims About Haitian Migrants ‘Eat Dogs’

On immigration, former President Trump has made false accusations about Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, eating residents’ dogs and cats despite city officials apparently stated that the allegations were false and that there have been “no credible reports” of harm to pets.

“They’re eating dogs in Springfield. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there, and that’s what’s happening in our country,” Trump said. “She’s destroying this country, and if she becomes president, this country has no chance of success. Not only success, we’re going to end up like Venezuela on steroids.”