Vice President Kamala Harris didn’t have her microphone on to interrupt former President Trump during the presidential debate on Tuesday, but she did her best to make it clear she disagreed with what he said.
As Trump spoke, Harris tried to respond with a bemused grin. She looked up at the ceiling in exasperation, smiled and shook her head, and took notes intently.
At one point, Harris mouthed “that’s not true,” and when Trump started talking about her belief that she was a “Marxist,” Harris rested her chin on her hand and smiled in surprise.
When Trump spoke about abortion, Harris narrowed her eyes and said out loud, “that’s not true,” even though the microphone couldn’t pick up her comment.
Harris’ comments prompted commentary from political advisers on social media.
Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris visibly responded on camera to protest some of Trump’s statements
Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris listens to Donald Trump speaking with a sly smile on her face
“Harris laughing when he talks about prosecuting Trump is a bad name,” pollster Frank Luntz wrote on X.com. “She feeds the narrative that this is all a partisan witch hunt.”
Later in the debate, Harris vocally protested some of Trump’s statements, even though her microphone was turned off.
The White House press corps was present in the debate room so they could publicly report what Harris said and did as Trump spoke.
Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris takes notes during the presidential debate
The debate rules drawn up by the Biden campaign included a provision that required the opponent’s microphone to be muted when the candidate was answering a question.
Harris’ campaign made a big case for keeping both microphones on, believing she would have the upper hand if she wanted to interrupt Trump or check facts while he was speaking.
But ultimately, ABC News insisted that the debate rules as negotiated be adopted.
Trump ultimately ridiculed Harris for trying to interrupt him while he was speaking.