Who Won the Presidential Debate, Trump or Harris? We Asked ChatGPT

Vice President Kamala Harris faced off against former president Donald Trump in a clash of opposing political ideologies.
With 55 days to go until Election Day, when Americans will head to the polls to select the next president, the debate was a high-stakes battleground for both candidates to make their pitch to the nation.
There are no plans for a second debate as of yet; however, according to reports, Harris is eager to square off against Trump again in a second showdown before November 5.
According to a flash poll conducted by CNN following Tuesday’s debate, Harris won the battle, with 63 percent of respondents declaring her victorious; only 37 percent of viewers believed Trump won the first round.
Newsweek asked the generative AI tool, ChatGPT, “Who won the presidential debate, Trump or Harris?
“Give reasons for your answer. When thinking about your answer, also consider who the debate host is, as well as the new mic policy.”
ChatGPT responded: “In the recent presidential debate held on September 10, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris was widely considered the winner over former President Donald Trump. A CNN poll conducted immediately after the debate found that 63 percent of viewers believed Harris outperformed Trump, while only 37 percent thought Trump did better.
“This sentiment was echoed by various political analysts, who noted that Harris effectively framed herself as the change candidate and engaged Trump on several key issues, including abortion and economic policies. ​
“Harris’s performance seems to have positively influenced viewer perceptions, with her favorability rising from 39 percent to 45 percent after the debate. In contrast, Trump’s ratings remained relatively unchanged.
“Polls and betting markets also reflected a shift in momentum toward Harris, suggesting that her performance might have reassured her supporters and drawn in undecided voters.
“Harris was generally perceived as more focused and prepared, particularly on health care, climate change, and economic inequality. She effectively challenged Trump on his record, emphasizing the discrepancies between his promises and actions. Harris’ calm and collected demeanor contrasted with Trump’s more combative style, which likely appealed to undecided voters and those seeking stability.
“Trump, known for his aggressive debating style, stuck to his strengths by criticizing the Biden-Harris administration’s policies, particularly on immigration and foreign policy. However, his performance was marked by interruptions and attempts to dominate the conversation, which might have alienated some viewers. He did have moments that resonated with his base, particularly when discussing law and order and economic growth.
“The debate was moderated by a host who maintained firm control over the proceedings, ensuring both candidates adhered to the rules. The host’s balanced approach prevented Trump from overpowering the debate, as he had in previous debates, allowing Harris to present her points without constant interruption. This likely benefited Harris, as she could articulate her policies more clearly.
“The implementation of the new microphone policy, where each candidate’s mic was muted during the other’s opening statements, significantly impacted the debate dynamics. This policy curbed Trump’s tendency to interrupt and forced him to adhere to the rules, leveling the playing field. Harris, who tends to be more measured in her speech, benefited from this structure, allowing her to engage without being overshadowed.
“Given these factors, Kamala Harris is generally considered the winner of this debate. The combination of her strong performance, the moderator’s control, and the mic policy allowed her to make her case effectively while minimizing Trump’s usual advantages in a freewheeling debate format. However, the “winner” of a debate can be subjective, and how each candidate’s base and undecided voters perceived the debate may vary.”
John Koch, senior lecturer and director of debate at Vanderbilt University, told Newsweek Harris did a better job.
“This debate was about defining Kamala Harris. Trump wanted to tie her to Biden’s record and define her as being too liberal. Harris wanted to establish that she is capable of being president and as her own candidate with her own policy proposals. By and large, Harris did a better job in defining herself than he did in defining her. He got some points in, but it was buried under other things that will get more attention.
“Debates at best matter at the margins, with rare exceptions. I do not think this is a rare exception.”
President Joe Biden’s last presidential debate against Trump saw a historic drubbing that forced the incumbent Democratic president to withdraw after behind-the-scenes machinations forced him to the sidelines.
A spokesperson from SportsHandle, a betting company, told Newsweek Trump’s odds have dropped following the discussion.
“Over the last month, Trump had slowly started to pull away, widening the gap in the odds to almost 7 points.
“Now, following his performance in the debate last night, Trump has dropped roughly 4 points according to our odds tracker.
“The poll following the debate said that Harris performed better, as many expected her to—and the odds reflect that.
“Harris’ odds had begun to falter, steadily declining since mid-August.”
This debate has been the boost the Harris campaign needed, significantly shortening the gap between the election winner odds.”
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