DISCLAIMER: This article was first published on September 12, 2024.
In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s debate with Kamala Harris, a curious dynamic emerged: while his allies publicly lauded his performance, the tone behind closed doors was quite different. According to a CNN report by Kaitlan Collins, Trump, upon leaving the debate stage, immediately sought feedback from his inner circle. Those present in his viewing room were quick to offer praise, telling him that he had performed well. However, the private sentiments shared with CNN painted a different picture: his allies viewed his performance as a missed opportunity, with some describing it as a loss.
The Private Reactions to Trump’s Debate Performance
Collins revealed that many of Trump’s supporters felt he had failed to capitalize on key talking points that he had rehearsed extensively. He had prepared heavily for this debate, especially in relation to Kamala Harris’s policy reversals and her record as vice president. However, his team felt he didn’t sufficiently target her failures over the past three and a half years, which they considered central to his argument. In fact, Trump avoided bringing up these crucial points until his closing argument, something that surprised even his closest advisors. Instead of staying focused on key attacks, Trump “took the bait” whenever Harris provoked him, detracting from his planned message.
While his team was privately critical, they remained supportive on the surface, perhaps out of fear or obligation. Several aides later downplayed the significance of the debate, asserting that it wouldn’t shift Trump’s polling numbers in key battleground states like Pennsylvania. Still, the internal discontent was unmistakable, with some privately admitting that Trump’s performance had been lackluster at best, a sentiment shared by other sources.
Collins: I’m told that as soon as Donald Trump exited that debate stage, he immediately began quizzing those waiting in his viewing room about how the last 90 minutes had gone. While several people praised him to his face, telling him they did a great job, that’s not what a lot… pic.twitter.com/JVs2IvuIxh
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 12, 2024
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Spin Room Chaos and Discontent
In contrast to the face-saving remarks made in public, reports from other media outlets suggest even deeper dissatisfaction within Trump’s camp. In an article from The Bulwark, Tim Miller described the post-debate spin room as “chaotic,” with Trump’s surrogates scrambling to shape a positive narrative amid an atmosphere of uncertainty. According to Miller, while Trump’s team worked hard to maintain a positive front, there was significant frustration behind the scenes.
Lindsey Graham, one of Trump’s staunchest allies, was reportedly heard admitting that the debate was a “disaster,” even suggesting that Trump’s debate prep team should be fired. This sentiment was indicative of the broader mood within the spin room, where many of Trump’s supporters and surrogates privately acknowledged that the debate had not gone as planned.
Despite these concerns, Trump himself remained publicly defiant. In an interview immediately following the debate, he expressed satisfaction with his performance, claiming it was “his best debate” and asserting that Harris had appeared weak on key issues like foreign policy and the border. This confidence stood in stark contrast to the mounting unease among his aides and allies, who believed that the debate was a missed opportunity to solidify his standing.
A Divided Response: Public Praise vs. Private Concerns
The disconnect between public praise and private concerns was most evident when Trump’s team shifted the narrative to downplay the debate’s importance. Collins noted that multiple Trump allies later argued that the debate wouldn’t significantly affect voter behavior, especially in states like Pennsylvania. This was a calculated move—one designed to mitigate potential damage from the debate performance, even as Trump’s team wrestled with the reality of his less-than-stellar showing.
We wrote about Tulsi Gabbard blaming the moderators for Trump’s “disaster” HERE:
Following the debate, Gabbard found herself in the “spin room” defending Trump, but she also went on the offensive, claiming that the moderators at ABC News were shilling for Harris. Gabbard asserted that Trump had faced a “three-on-one” attack, with both Harris and the moderators conspiring to make him look bad. However, this argument didn’t hold much weight when it was revealed that Trump actually spoke for eight minutes longer than Harris during the debate, a detail that undermined Gabbard’s accusations of unfair treatment (New Republic). Her whining about the media favoring Harris did little to shield Trump—or herself—from widespread mockery.
However, this was not the first time Trump’s camp had downplayed a negative performance. As detailed in The Bulwark, Trump’s surrogates have often found themselves in damage control mode following public appearances that don’t go as planned. The post-debate spin room was merely the latest example of his team scrambling to maintain a positive image, even as frustration mounted behind the scenes.
The Broader Implications
Trump’s debate with Kamala Harris represented a pivotal moment in his campaign, particularly as it related to his strategy against the sitting vice president. For weeks, his team had been preparing him to land targeted attacks on Harris’s record, which they believed would resonate with undecided voters. Yet, by failing to execute on these key points during the debate, Trump may have missed a crucial opportunity to sway public opinion in his favor.
The behind-the-scenes frustration reflects a broader concern within Trump’s camp. As his team privately admitted to CNN, Trump’s debate performance was far from what they had hoped for. Despite this, the public messaging remained focused on minimizing the significance of the debate, with allies emphasizing that it wouldn’t shift voter sentiment.
The aftermath of the debate also underscored the precarious position Trump finds himself in. While he may remain confident in his performance, the reactions from his own team suggest a growing unease about his ability to effectively challenge his opponents. This disconnect between public praise and private concerns is likely to be a recurring theme as Trump continues his campaign, with his allies walking a fine line between supporting him publicly and grappling with the reality of his performance behind closed doors.
Not Surprising
The story of Trump’s debate performance highlights a familiar pattern in his political career: the public-facing confidence juxtaposed with private doubts from those within his inner circle. As Collins reported, Trump’s team was quick to offer praise to his face, but behind the scenes, they were less optimistic, viewing the debate as a missed opportunity. Despite Trump’s insistence that he had delivered his best debate performance, it’s clear that his team remains divided on how effective he truly was. This ongoing tension between public image and private concern will likely continue to define Trump’s campaign as he heads into future debates and public appearances.
Featured image via screengrab
