Donald Trump’s affection for Hungarian President Viktor Orbán is evident in the debate
Philadelphia prepares for presidential debate between Harris and Trump
The showdown between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is the first presidential debate since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race for the Democratic nomination.
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris clashed at the presidential debate over Trump’s standing among world leaders after Harris said world leaders were “laughing at him.”
When asked about Trump’s repeated and unproven claims that he won the 2020 election when President Joe Biden prevailed, Harris said some world leaders do not value her as highly as he claims.
“I will tell you that I have traveled around the world as vice president of the United States and world leaders are laughing at Donald Trump,” she said. “I have spoken to military leaders, some of whom work with you, and they say you are a disgrace.”
Trump responded by referring to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who appreciates the Trump administration because it is more friendly to him, Trump said on the debate stage.
“They call him a strong man. He’s a tough guy,” Trump said of Orbán, a far-right politician who is controversial for his efforts to restrict press freedom and political opposition.
“Viktor Orbán said, ‘The most respected and most feared person is Donald Trump. We had no problems when Trump was president,'” Trump said, calling Biden a “weak, pathetic man.”
Fact check on the presidential debate: Keep an eye on Trump and Harris’ claims
Trump promised to be a dictator from day one
Trump has praised authoritarian leaders such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping and Viktor Orbán.
Harris and others have sharply criticized Trump’s promise to be a dictator on day one of a possible second administration, but the former president has said that means he will use his executive powers to close the border and expand America’s energy industry.
Harris and Biden have long tried to portray the former president as a threat to democracy, especially in light of the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021.
In the debate, Harris repeatedly positioned herself as a candidate for the preservation of democracy.
How to follow the debate between Trump and Harris
On Tuesday, September 10 at 9 p.m. EDT, the USA TODAY Network will simulcast the ABC News presidential debate on the USA TODAY channel, available on most smart TVs and devices.
Contributors: Rebecca Morin, Ella Lee
