Renowned Republican pollster Frank Luntz has predicted that Donald Trump's performance in the recent debate against Vice President Kamala Harris may ultimately cost him the 2024 presidential election. Luntz, a longtime GOP strategist known for his sharp insights into voter behavior, delivered his blunt assessment during an interview on "Piers Morgan Uncensored" on Wednesday.
The debate, which marked the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and Harris, quickly devolved into a contentious exchange, with Trump repeatedly responding to Harris's provocations on topics ranging from the size of his rallies to his standing with world leaders. Harris, who appeared more poised and strategic, was seen by many viewers and early polls as the clear winner of the 90-minute showdown.
Luntz did not mince words in his critique of Trump's performance. "It was a pretty negative performance-pretty pessimistic, cynical, contemptuous," he said during the interview. "And I think that this will cost him, yes." Luntz, who has been a fixture in Republican politics for decades, went further, stating that this debate performance could be a pivotal moment in Trump's campaign. "I think that he loses because of this debate performance," he added, after pausing to carefully consider his words.
Luntz's analysis focused on several key moments in the debate where he believes Trump faltered. He criticized Trump for failing to capitalize on opportunities to address critical issues such as inflation and the economy-topics that are top-of-mind for many voters. Instead, Trump veered into less relevant and more controversial territory, including a bizarre conversation about people eating dogs and cats, and an unexpected endorsement of the leader of Hungary as one of the world's greatest leaders.
"The complete inability to present his point of view without completely tearing into her, into Joe Biden, into whomever was in his sights, was a significant flaw," Luntz noted. He also expressed disappointment in Trump's fixation on the size of his rally crowds, a recurring theme in Trump's rhetoric that Harris effectively used to bait him during the debate.
This lack of focus on pressing economic issues, coupled with what Luntz described as a "hostile" and "negative" demeanor, may have alienated undecided voters who were looking for substantive answers on how Trump would address the nation's challenges if re-elected.
The debate's aftermath has left Trump's campaign at a critical juncture. Despite his confidence in the debate's outcome, Trump's decision to engage in what Luntz characterized as "cynical" and "contemptuous" tactics could have lasting repercussions. The former president has already indicated that he may be "less inclined" to participate in future debates, a move that some analysts believe could further weaken his position.
Luntz's prediction is particularly noteworthy given his track record as a key voice in Republican circles. His warning comes after months of advising Trump to refine his message and focus on voter concerns, advice that appears to have gone unheeded. In an interview with CNBC last month, Luntz urged Trump to shift away from talking about the size of his rallies and instead address issues like inflation-a suggestion that Trump ignored during Tuesday's debate.
With just weeks to go before the election, the impact of this debate could be far-reaching. Luntz's assertion that Trump's performance could be one of the worst he has seen in his career underscores the high stakes of the moment. "This is not the worst debate performance I've seen in my career, but it's very close to it," Luntz said, adding that Trump's inability to stay on message could be his undoing.
