In a heated debate, Kamala Harris effectively put Donald Trump on the defensive, as the two US presidential hopefuls clashed over critical issues such as abortion rights, immigration, foreign policy, and the economy. Harris, the vice president, entered the debate with a recent surge in momentum, although polls indicated that the race was tightly contested, both nationally and in key battleground states. Given the distribution of voters, which tends to favor Republicans in the electoral college, and the typical fading of post-convention boosts, analysts like Nate Silver have suggested that Trump is currently favored to win. Despite the challenges, Harris's performance in the debate was strong enough to potentially shift the odds in her favor. Trump's strategy appeared to focus on linking Harris to the unpopular policies of the Biden administration. However, he often veered into lengthy and extreme MAGA rhetoric, which may have left many voters confused. Overall, while many candidates have claimed debate victories only to lose the election, Harris's strong showing could have significant implications for the race ahead.

Harris showcased a ‘masterclass’ performance in the recent debate. The question now is whether it will impact the presidential race. As the race remains highly competitive, Trump’s support appears to be holding steady. The debate kicked off with Harris taking the initiative. The Vice President of the United States confidently walked onto the stage at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, extended her hand, and introduced herself: “Kamala Harris.” Remarkably, this was the first time Harris had ever met Donald Trump. Their political paths have run parallel since 2016, when Trump was elected to the White House and Harris was elected to the Senate. Over the years, she has built a reputation for challenging Trump administration officials during her time in the Senate. Four years later, she played a crucial role in defeating Trump as Joe Biden’s running mate. The implications of this debate performance on the race remain to be seen.

**Wednesday Briefing: Trump Takes the Bait in a Debate That Could Shift the Presidential Race** Good morning. If you felt a sense of dread on June 28 when Joe Biden delivered a baffling debate performance, you might find yourself more optimistic today. Just hours ago, the only scheduled debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris concluded, and even Fox News declared Harris the winner. The mood among Democrats likely brightened further with the news that Taylor Swift endorsed Harris, humorously signing her post as “childless cat lady.” A CNN snap poll indicated that voters believed Harris won the debate by a significant margin of 63% to 37%, a gap reminiscent of Trump’s previous victory over Biden. A key factor in Harris’ success was her ability to provoke Trump into rants about less relevant topics, diverting attention from the issues that matter most to voters. In other news, Members of Parliament have voted to restrict the winter fuel allowance to only the poorest pensioners in England and Wales. Just one Labour MP, Jon Trickett, supported the opposition motion, while 52 others chose to abstain, exceeding earlier predictions. In the Conservative Party, Mel Stride has been eliminated from the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as leader after the second round of voting among MPs. Stride's departure marks the second loss in the ongoing leadership contest, which is set to conclude in early November. On the international front, Israeli airstrikes on the al-Mawasi “humanitarian zone” in the Gaza Strip have reportedly resulted in at least 19 fatalities and injured around 60 individuals, according to witnesses and medical officials in the area. In the UK steel industry, the Port Talbot steelworks is facing the prospect of 2,500 job cuts, with additional layoffs anticipated across the country. The government is preparing a taxpayer-backed rescue deal worth £500 million for the south Wales plant, owned by Tata Steel. Lastly, an inquest into the death of a man who took his own life shortly after appearing on The Jeremy Kyle Show found “insufficient evidence” to conclude that his participation in the program contributed to his death. Stay informed as these stories develop.

Taylor Swift has publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for president in an Instagram post that followed the recent U.S. presidential debate. In her message, Swift described Harris as the “warrior” who will advocate for the “rights and causes” she supports. In her post, which reached her 283 million followers, Swift emphasized the importance of being informed as a voter. She stated, “As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can,” and confirmed her intention to vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Swift's endorsement highlights her commitment to engaging with political issues and supporting candidates aligned with her values.