Philadelphia – The stage was set for an electrifying showdown on Tuesday night as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump clashed in their first presidential debate. The verdict is in, and according to a CNN snap poll, Harris emerged victorious with a commanding 63% of viewers deeming her performance superior to Trump’s 37%.

This outcome wasn’t just a win on paper. Pollster Nate Silver emphasized that the result showed a strong consensus in Harris’s favor, suggesting her debate skills resonated well with the audience. Remarkably, even Fox News commentators appeared to concede that Harris had the upper hand.

The debate began with Trump appearing confident, particularly during the initial discussions on the economy. However, Harris swiftly pivoted the conversation to more contentious issues, including Trump’s ongoing criminal trials and his role in the January 6 Capitol riots. She tackled Trump’s controversial stances, particularly his relationship with authoritarian figures, and probed into Project 2025, a policy initiative linked to his presidency.

The debate saw Harris skillfully navigating through Trump’s attempts to deflect and counter-attack. Trump’s visible frustration was evident as Harris consistently brought the conversation back to his record and his legal challenges. The Vice President’s strategy not only put Trump on the defensive but also highlighted her preparedness and grasp of the issues at hand.

As the dust settles, Harris’s campaign is riding high on this momentum. They have already challenged Trump to a second debate, seizing the opportunity to leverage their perceived victory and push forward with their campaign narrative. The Trump camp, though, is not backing down. Reports indicate that Trump might be open to another round, driven partly by a desire to address critiques and potentially regain ground.

In the wake of the debate, a notable twist emerged with pop star Taylor Swift publicly endorsing Harris on Instagram, adding a splash of celebrity influence to the political arena.

As the election season heats up, the implications of this debate are far-reaching. With no further debates scheduled at the moment, the spotlight now turns to how each campaign will use this moment to sway undecided voters and energize their bases.