As the two presidential candidates entered the debate stage, Kamala Harris strode across it and offered her hand to Donald Trump to shake, setting a confident tone that didn’t flag throughout the debate.

"Trump either wasn't expecting the handshake or he didn't want to do it," wrote Jemele Hill, a contributing writer to the Atlantic. Podcast host Kyle Kulinski added, "it looked like Trump didn't want the handshake but Kamala went for it." Because he didn't want to, Trump has never shaken hands with Joe Biden who went on to win the 2020 Presidental election.

Trump, appearing to grow angrier through the night, stuck to his well-trodden themes of American decline.

Each candidate tonight probably won points with their supporters – whether they won over undecided voters will become clear when the ballots are counted.