Harris vs. Trump: A Battle of Economic Wits

The first presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump was filled with memorable moments, but one exchange stood out for its economic significance. When asked about the state of the American economy, Harris and Trump engaged in a heated discussion, with Harris highlighting the flaws in Trump's plan and Trump defending his education at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business. Harris started by framing her economic plan as an "opportunity economy," citing the support of top economists and institutions like Goldman Sachs. She also took a subtle jab at Trump's alma mater, implying that the prestige of Wharton didn't necessarily translate to economic expertise. What if, instead of relying on his education, Trump had actually studied the economy and its complexities? Trump, however, remained confident in his plan, claiming that top Wharton professors had praised his economic strategy. But when asked to provide evidence, Harris countered with quotes from 16 Nobel Laureates who had described Trump's plan as flawed. This led to an awkward exchange, with Trump struggling to defend his plan against the criticism. But the real cherry on top was Trump's subsequent ramblings about eating cats, executing babies, and transgender operations on illegal aliens in prison. It was as if he was trying to distract from the economic debate and shift the focus to his signature brand of divisive rhetoric. As Katy Milkman, a Wharton professor, pointed out on Twitter, the notion that top Wharton professors had endorsed Trump's plan was a myth. It's a reminder that, even in the world of economics, facts and figures can be twisted to fit a narrative.