When Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump took the stage for their first presidential debate on Tuesday night, the two shook hands – the first time two presidential candidates have shaken hands since 2016.
During the debate, the two candidates met for the first time, and Harris initiated the handshake.
Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris (R) shakes hands with former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a presidential debate in Philadelphia, September 10, 2024.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
After they were introduced, Trump appeared to walk to his podium without shaking Harris’s hand. Harris was making her way to the center of the stage and then changed course to meet him at his podium for a handshake.
The Vice President said, “Kamala Harris. How are you?”
“Nice to see you, I’m fine,” Trump said as he shook her hand.
Harris replied: “Let’s have a serious debate.”
Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris (R) shakes hands with former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a presidential debate in Philadelphia, September 10, 2024.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
The handshake between the two candidates ended an eight-year period without handshakes at the presidential debates.
There are no rules or regulations requiring a handshake before or after the debate.
