The duel between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump attracted at least 57.5 million viewers, according to preliminary figures from broadcaster ABC, which hosted the high-profile duel.
ABC’s early viewership estimate represents an improvement over the debate between President Joe Biden and Trump in late June, which drew about 51.3 million people, according to media analytics firm Nielsen.
The preliminary data includes viewership from just seven networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. ABC said it will release final numbers – including estimated viewership – in the coming days.
According to ABC, approximately 17.8 million viewers were adults ages 25-54; another approximately 14.8 million viewers were adults ages 18-49.
The event, held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and co-hosted by ABC News’ David Muir and Linsey Davis, drew praise from Democrats and attack from Republicans for fact-checking Trump’s false claims.
For both candidates, the debate was one of the best opportunities to present their arguments to the country in the final stretch of an unusually shortened election campaign.
Harris won praise for her sharp attacks on Trump’s stance on abortion and national security. Trump’s conspiracy-theoretical narrative has raised concerns among his political allies as he tries to win a second term in the White House.
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