Trump Won Over Voters Concerned About The Economy In Debate Per CNN

Despite being seen as the debate winner, Kamala Harris lost ground to Donald Trump on the issue voters care about most: the economy.

The 2024 election is shaping up to be a battle over the economy, with both campaigns vying to present themselves as the best option for reversing what most Americans perceive as tough economic times. While media outlets were quick to declare Vice President Kamala Harris the winner of Tuesday’s debate, post-debate polling suggests a more complex outcome.

In a CNN poll conducted after the debate, viewers were asked not only who they thought won the debate, but also who they believed was better suited to repair the economy. Before the debate, 53% of respondents favored Donald Trump on economic issues, compared to 37% for Harris. Surprisingly, after the debate, Trump’s margin grew, with 55% saying they trusted him more to fix the economy, compared to 35% for Harris.

While Harris may have been perceived as winning the debate overall, the key takeaway for many voters—particularly regarding their economic self-interest—was that Trump remained the stronger candidate to address their concerns about the struggling economy. This outcome underscores how central the economy is to voters, with the issue likely playing a decisive role in the upcoming election.