This combination of photos shows Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris during an ABC News presidential debate at the National Constitution Center, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP/Alex Brandon)
Share
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
WASHINGTON — Kamala Harris and Donald Trump said as much with their faces as they did with their words during Tuesday’s debate.
With their microphones muted unless it was their turn to speak, according to the debate rules, body language took on outsized importance for Harris and Trump.
Related Story: As Trump and Harris Spar, ABC’s Moderators Grapple With Conducting a ...
Harris in particular leaned into the nonverbal communication, keenly aware that her every reaction was being broadcast to the world, “speaking” to the audience even while Trump ostensibly had the floor. Networks showed a split screen with both candidates for most of the debate.
At various points she looked amused or befuddled by whatever Trump was saying, as if wordlessly saying he was lying. A few times she dramatically put her fingers under her chin, eyes wide, head tilted. Other times she laughed.
Related Story: After Debate, Harris and Trump Shake Hands at Sept. 11 Memorial
Trump sometimes scowled, sometimes smiled curtly. His eyes flashed anger or annoyance, perhaps even boredom at times. He rarely looked at Harris while she spoke, instead pointing his face forward toward the cameras or ABC News moderators.
When the candidates did have the floor, Trump and Harris both gesticulated with their hands, mannerisms that are by now familiar to Americans who’ve spent a lot of time watching them.
RELATED TOPICS:
Harris Outwitted Trump, but Will That Sway Undecided Voters?
2 hours ago
Clovis East High Teen Who Died in Fresno Motorcycle Collision Identified
2 hours ago
Campbell Wants to Say Goodbye to the ‘Soup’ in Its Name. It Isn’t the First to Make Such a Change
2 hours ago
NFL Averaged 21 Million Viewers per Game, a Record for Opening Week
4 hours ago
California Mom Who Pushed for Tougher DUI Laws Charged in Daughter’s Hot Car Death
4 hours ago
Reedley Woman Killed in Crosswalk Is Identified
3 mins ago
Categories
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11165330/Juanita-Ayala-77-of-Reedley-died-on-Tuesday-after-being-struck-by-a-vehicle-while-crossing-at-10th-and-G-Streets-with-preliminary-investigations-showing-no-signs-of-drugs-or-alcohol-involvemen-1024x538.jpg)
Reedley Woman Killed in Crosswalk Is Identified
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/16180855/AP23269579710093.jpg)
Amazon to Shutter Two California Facilities, Affecting Over 300 Jobs
![An undated image courtesy of Conflict Armament Research that is said to show remnants of a motor used to guide a North Korean Hwasong-11 short-range ballistic missile that was used in an attack on Ukraine. North Korea has continued to supply advanced short-range ballistic missiles to Russia in defiance of sanctions, according to a report by a weapons research group. (courtesy of Conflict Armament Research via The New York Times) -- NO SALES; FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY WITH NKOREA RUSSIA MISSILES BY JOHN ISMAY FOR SEPT. 11, 2024. ALL OTHER USE PROHIBITED.](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11154719/An-undated-image-courtesy-of-Conflict-Armament-Research-that-is-said-to-show-remnants-of-a-motor-used-to-guide-a-North-Korean-Hwasong-11-short-range-ballistic-missile-that-was-used-in-an-attack-on-1024x538.jpg)
North Korean Missiles Rain Down on Ukraine Despite Sanctions
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11150617/Vice-President-Kamala-Harris-the-Democratic-presidential-nominee-and-former-President-Donald-Trump-the-Republican-presidential-nominee-seen-on-a-television-screen-during-their-presidential-deb-1024x538.jpg)
Harris Outwitted Trump, but Will That Sway Undecided Voters?
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/16185912/Fresno-PD-car-pic.jpg)
Clovis East High Teen Who Died in Fresno Motorcycle Collision Identified
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11150732/AP24255476028400-1024x576.jpg)
Campbell Wants to Say Goodbye to the ‘Soup’ in Its Name. It Isn’t the First to Make Such a Change
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/09142619/Fresno-police-are-seeking-the-publics-help-in-identifying-a-suspect-who-assaulted-a-47-year-old-unhoused-man-early-Monday-morning-leaving-him-with-significant-head-injuries.-Fresno-PD-1024x538.jpg)