Karl Rove Criticizes Trump’s Debate Performance Against Kamala Harris as a “Train Wreck”
Republican political consultant Karl Rove did not mince words in his recent op-ed, describing Donald Trump’s debate against Vice President Kamala Harris as a “train wreck.” Rove, who served as deputy chief of staff under President George W. Bush, stated that Trump’s performance was “catastrophic,” highlighting that he was “crushed by a woman he had previously dismissed as ‘dumb as a rock,’” as reported in The Independent.
Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Rove emphasized that Trump’s performance was far worse than what anyone in his campaign could have anticipated. He noted that Harris seized the opportunity to attack Trump with a well-prepared strategy, while Trump appeared “visibly rattled” by her aggressive approach. According to an analysis by The New York Times, Harris spent 46% of her speaking time on the attack, whereas Trump’s offensive strategy only consumed 29% of his time. Rove underscored the significance of this imbalance, pointing out that “debates aren’t won on defense.”
Trump Loses His Cool
Rove delved deeper into Trump’s missteps during the debate, highlighting how the former president allowed his emotions to get the better of him. Knowing Harris would aim to provoke him, Trump still “took the bait almost every time she put it on the hook,” Rove wrote. Rather than calmly countering Harris’s arguments, Trump responded with visible frustration, grimacing and gripping the podium as her attacks mounted.
Rove critiqued Trump’s failure to land effective counterpunches, explaining that the former president squandered the opportunity to tie Harris to what he referred to as President Joe Biden’s failed policies. Instead, Trump allowed Harris to control the narrative, losing his composure at key moments.
Contrast in Style and Demeanor
Rove also analyzed the stark contrast in how the two candidates carried themselves during the debate. “It matters how debating candidates carry themselves,” Rove said, emphasizing that Harris appeared “calm, confident, and focused on the future,” while Trump came across as “hot, angry, and fixated on the past.”
Harris’s mastery of the debate’s split-screen format was another point Rove stressed. She projected confidence by smiling and shaking her head as Trump spoke, reinforcing her control over the debate without saying a word. According to Rove, this demeanor likely resonated with undecided and swing voters, who were searching for reassurance from the candidates.
Lasting Impact on the Election
While Rove acknowledged that the debate’s outcome would influence the election, he also noted that its impact might not be as significant as the Harris campaign hopes or as devastating as Trump’s team fears. However, Rove did not shy away from a blunt assessment of Trump’s overall performance: “There’s no putting lipstick on this pig,” he wrote. “Trump was crushed by a woman he previously dismissed as ‘dumb as a rock.’ Which raises the question: What does that make him?”
In an unusual move, Trump made a post-debate appearance in the spin room—a venue typically reserved for campaign surrogates—where he claimed it had been his “best debate ever,” despite the criticism surrounding his performance.
