Republican U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio and Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz engaged in a heated and wide-ranging vice presidential debate Tuesday night. They sparred over the economy, immigration, abortion, and foreign policy.
Hosted by CBS News anchors Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan, the debate took place in New York City, just five weeks before Election Day.
Both Vance and Walz defended their respective running mates—former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris—while attempting to sway undecided voters with their policy positions and personal experiences.
Middle East Crisis Sparks Fiery Exchanges
The debate opened with a question on the Middle East crisis, as Iran launched its largest missile attack on Israel earlier that day, escalating tensions in the region.
Walz condemned Iran’s aggression but swiftly turned his focus to attacking Trump, blaming him for pulling out of the Iran Nuclear Deal and arguing that Trump’s “fickle leadership” emboldened Iran.
Vance countered by highlighting Trump’s “peace through strength” approach, arguing that under Trump’s leadership, there was no major conflict during his tenure.
He then criticized the Biden-Harris administration for releasing billions of taxpayer dollars to Iran, which he linked to the recent attack.
“Who has been the vice president for the past three and a half years?” Vance asked, taking a direct jab at Harris’ tenure in office. “The answer is your running mate, not mine.”
Economy and Immigration Dominate Domestic Debate
When the debate shifted to domestic issues, Vance hammered the Biden-Harris administration on the state of the U.S. economy, citing 40-year high inflation and the skyrocketing cost of living.
Walz, on the defensive, blamed Trump’s tax policies for hurting the middle class and argued that Harris is the candidate who can restore economic stability.
“Teachers, nurses, truck drivers or whatever, how is it fair that you are paying your taxes year after year when Donald Trump hasn’t in 15 years?” Walz asked.
Vance shot back, highlighting Trump’s economic record of rising wages and low unemployment during his time in office. He accused the Harris administration of making housing unaffordable by pushing American energy production overseas and allowing unchecked illegal immigration.
“We have a historic immigration crisis,” Vance said, blaming 94 executive actions that have “opened the floodgates” for fentanyl and illegal immigrants.
Vance cited a Federal Reserve Bank study linking immigration to housing affordability, stating that “25 million illegal immigrants competing for homes in America is one of the biggest drivers of rising housing costs.”
He also pointed to ICE’s report on over 660,000 criminal foreign nationals in the U.S., saying, “We should start by deporting criminal migrants.”
Walz, meanwhile, accused Vance of exaggerating the immigration crisis, defending Harris’ efforts on border security and slamming Republicans for opposing a border bill that Democrats introduced earlier this year.
He argued that Republicans are more interested in using immigration as a campaign issue rather than actually solving the problem.
Abortion Sparks Intense Back-and-Forth
Abortion, a key issue in the election, saw both candidates take sharply opposing views.
Walz touted his record of restoring Roe v. Wade protections in Minnesota, while Vance clarified that he does not support Project 2025’s proposed pregnancy monitoring database.
“I want us as a Republican party to be pro-family in the fullest sense of the word,” Vance said, pointing to the need to support families with policies on housing, childcare, and fertility treatments.
Walz attacked Republicans for what he described as “extreme” policies on abortion, while Vance reiterated Trump’s stance that abortion decisions should be left to individual states and include exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother.
Moderator’s Fact-Checking Sparks Controversy
The debate took a contentious turn when moderators fact-checked Vance’s statements on Haitian migrants.
Vance pushed back, arguing that the agreement before the debate was for moderators not to engage in fact-checking.
“Some of the media stories are dishonest fabrications,” Vance said, defending his claims about the negative impact of immigration on communities like Springfield, Ohio.
The tense exchange was a flashpoint in a debate otherwise marked by heated policy discussions.
Gun Violence, Healthcare, and Leadership
When the conversation shifted to gun violence, Vance and Walz found a rare moment of common ground, with Vance expressing sympathy for Walz’s son, who witnessed a shooting at a community center.
However, the candidates quickly resumed their confrontations when Walz questioned Vance’s stance on Jan. 6 and whether Trump was a “threat to democracy.”
Vance responded by redirecting the issue to what he believes is a more pressing threat to democracy: censorship and the division sown by big technology companies and media narratives.
Closing Arguments and the Path Ahead
As the debate came to a close, Walz and Vance reiterated their visions for the country, each making their final pitches to voters.
Walz portrayed Harris as a leader of “steady leadership” and “real solutions,” while Vance called for a return to Trump’s policies of “peace through strength” and economic prosperity.
The debate highlighted the stark contrast between the candidates’ policies and rhetoric. With Election Day just weeks away and no further vice presidential debates scheduled, the stakes are high as both campaigns hit the ground in key battleground states.
Vance will hold campaign events in Michigan, while Walz is set to continue his bus tour through central Pennsylvania.
This debate may have been the only one for the vice presidential candidates, but it left a lasting impression on viewers and provided a glimpse into the ongoing battle for the White House.