Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump faced off in their first debate on September 10, and the internet wasted no time turning the night into a meme extravaganza. Harris took an aggressive stance, relentlessly attacking Trump on his record, leadership, and fitness for office, leaving the former president visibly flustered throughout the event.
From the outset, Harris came prepared to put Trump on the defensive. She called out his past actions and policies, accusing him of being unfit for office and attacking his failed campaign promises. Trump, appearing rattled, resorted to pushing conspiracy theories, including unproven claims about Democrats supporting post-birth abortions and bizarre accusations about migrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. Harris, at one point, laughed mockingly at the absurdity of Trump’s remarks, further fueling the online frenzy.
One of the debate’s standout moments came when Harris delivered a scathing retort to Trump’s denial of his 2020 election loss. “Clearly, he’s having a very difficult time processing that 81 million voters fired him,” Harris quipped, drawing widespread applause from her supporters. She also added that world leaders view Trump as a “disgrace” and that they mock him behind closed doors, further escalating the tensions on stage.
While the verbal sparring was intense, the online reaction was even more spirited. Social media, especially X (formerly known as Twitter), exploded with memes and jokes poking fun at Trump’s performance. Users were quick to capitalize on his gaffes, and “Fox News” even trended on X as conservative commentators reluctantly admitted that Trump had an off night.
Notably, singer Taylor Swift also entered the fray, adding fuel to the debate’s viral aftermath. Shortly after the event, Swift endorsed Kamala Harris, calling her a “steady-handed, gifted leader.” She took a playful swipe at Trump’s running mate JD Vance, who had previously made an ill-advised comment about “childless cat ladies.” Swift posted a photo with her own cat, making light of the remark while praising Harris for fighting for causes she believed in. “With love and hope, Taylor Swift Childless Cat Lady,” she signed off, humorously embracing the jab and delighting her fans.
Social media reactions poured in, amplifying the night’s highlights with clever commentary. One user posted, “donOLD looked like a DUMMY tonight on that debate stage because he IS a Dummy! 🤡🤡🤡,” while another wrote, “republicans coming up with the cat and dog eating story two days before the debate.” Others called on their followers to reconsider their support for Trump, with one post reading, “if you are watching this debate and still voting for Trump, please unfollow me rn.”
The debate may have been about serious political issues, but the internet turned it into a comedic spectacle. From Harris’s sharp jabs to Trump’s flustered responses, the night’s events provided endless fodder for memes and viral posts. While the real impact of the debate on voters is yet to be seen, there’s no denying that Kamala Harris’s performance set social media ablaze.