Polls, panels show Trump holding steady as pundits name Harris the debate victor

Despite pundits widely proclaiming Vice President Kamala Harris as the victor in Tuesday evening's presidential debate, post-contest polling and viewer panels appeared to show former President Donald Trump either gaining ground or holding his own.

The pair faced off on ABC News in a 90-minute debate that saw Harris land several hits on the former president, who often rambled in his responses and quarreled, not just with Harris, but with moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis.

A CNN flash poll held after the debate showed Harris improve on her pre-debate favorability ratings, earning a 45% favorable to 44% unfavorable rating compared to 39% favorable and 50% unfavorable before the debate. Trump, by contrast, largely held steady, going from 41% favorable and 52% unfavorable to 39% favorable and 51% unfavorable.

Trump did, however, gain ground on the economy, with 55% indicating that preferred him to handle the issue post-debate compared to 35% who preferred Harris. The figures represented a moderate improve for Trump, who had 53% support to Harris's 37% going into the contest.

The New York Times, meanwhile, ran a headline stating "Pundits Said Harris Won the Debate. Undecided Voters Weren’t So Sure."

The article itself featured comments from many undecided voters who indicated either that Harris had not managed to fully convince them with her performance, including some who leaned toward Trump.

A Reuters headline that Trump himself reshared read "Some undecided voters not convinced by Harris after debate with Trump". That article detailed interviews with ten voters who were undecided heading into the debate, six of whom leaned toward Trump afterwards. Three leaned toward Harris while one remained undecided.