Chris Wallace: Debate was ‘devastating’ for Trump

CNN anchor Chris Wallace called Tuesday’s presidential debate “devastating” for former President Trump, quipping Vice President Harris “pitched a shutout”

“I didn’t ever think I was ever going to witness a debate as devastating as the one that you and Dana moderated back in June, where Joe Biden basically tanked his reelection campaign. I think tonight was just as devastating,” Wallace said to fellow CNN anchor Jake Tapper following the debate, referring to the head-to-head between Trump and President Biden moderated by Tapper and Dana Bash.

“I think that Kamala Harris pitched a shutout on almost every subject I can think of. She shut Trump down on abortion. She shut Trump down on January 6 and democracy. She shut him down on national security,” he added. “And turned to the former president and said, the military leaders who served with you think that you’re a disgrace.”

Harris and Trump clashed in Philadelphia Tuesday night in their first, and possibly only , debate. During the forum , the former president seemed visibly irritated and refused to look at his Democratic rival at many points. He was also visibly angry at times, suggesting the vice president got under his skin.

Various political pundits and the Wall Street Journal editorial board have argued Harris was the “winner” of the debate. Trump said he believes it was his “best debate ever.”

Wallace on Tuesday contended Trump looked “angry” and “scowling” while Harris appeared “happy, smiling” and “expressive.”

“She [Harris] was looking directly at the audience. He was looking at the moderators and arguing with them. And something else, Donald Trump looked old tonight, and, you know, somebody said on my show on Saturday, she wins just by showing up,” Wallace said. “I didn’t know that that was going to be true, I think it was.”

While Trump appeared rattled during much of the debate, Harris delivered a consistently confident performance in contrast. She also attempted to position herself as a new generational leader, stating, “Clearly, I am not Joe Biden, and I am certainly not Donald Trump.”

According to a CNN flash poll , released early Wednesday, most voters said Harris outperformed Trump during the debate — around 63 percent. While the performance may have given the Democratic nominee a boost in support, it did not appear to move the needle on the former president, according to the poll.

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