As Kamala Harris and Donald Trump took the debate stage Tuesday night the vice president took a direct route straight to the former president with an outreached arm and awkward introduction.
‘Kamala Harris,’ the vice president said, as though her opponent had no idea what her name was. ‘Let’s have a good debate.’
‘Nice to see you,’ Trump responded, ‘have fun.’
It was the first handshake at a presidential debate since Hillary Clinton and Trump’s first debate in 2016.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump shakes hands with Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris during an ABC News presidential debate at the National Constitution Center, Tuesday, Sept.10, 2024, in Philadelphia
Though the two had not met, surely the three-time presidential candidate knew what the sitting VP and his primary rival’s name, one he’s said hundreds of times.
Regardless the former president’s allies and those of Harris could not believe what they saw.
‘Did she really just say ‘Kamala Harris?” Trump’s VP nominee J.D. Vance posted on X in reaction to the awkward meeting.
Commentator Megyn Kelly similarly posted: ”I’m Kamala Harris.’ Attempt to be the professional one but actually seems foolish.”
One X user posted: ‘Gonna go down as the most awkward handshake in history.’
‘Trump went straight to his podium whereas Harris crossed the stage to shake his hand and introduce herself,’ another wrote. ‘Quite the metaphor for the character of these two candidates.’
It was the first handshake at a presidential debate since 2016
The vice president pursued former President Trump across the debate stage to force him to shake her hand before the two began
‘Yeah…did not seem like he had any intention to shake VP Harris’ hand…but she forced his hand (sorry had to say it),’ another X user said.
‘Trump didn’t even want to shake Kamala’s hand before the debate started,’ yet another user posted. ‘The foolery is starting already.’
‘Donald Trump wasn’t going to shake Kamala Harris’s hand. She forced him to. Dominance. Love it,’ wrote Harris ally Shannon Watts.
‘Showing that Kamala Harris is a decent person and Trump is a rude nepo baby,’ another user said.
