In speaking on the first topic of the debate, Trump's main arguments attacked the Biden-Harris administration's economic record, particularly on high inflation and rising prices that have occurred during their administration. While some of his facts are correct, he employed several fallacies to make his argument, like ad hominem attacks, unsupported generalizations about immigrant criminality, and appeals to emotion rather than facts. While touting his previous economic success, he fails to provide concrete policy proposals, instead resorting to fear-mongering tactics.

1. guilt by association • Trump attempts to discredit Harris by associating her with her father's ideology and labeling them both as "Marxists", instead of addressing the substance of her arguments.

She's a Marxist. Everybody knows she's a Marxist. Her father's a Marxist professor in economics. And he taught her well.

This is a form of the {ad hominem} fallacy where Harris is judged based on her relation to her father rather than evaluating her positions directly.

2. sweeping generalization with appeal to fear • Trump makes an overly broad generalization that many immigrants are

criminals without providing sufficient evidence to support this claim.

Many of these people coming in are criminals. And that's bad for our economy too.

This paints all immigrants with the same brush based on anecdotal or cherry-picked examples. Additional, it attempts to instill fear by portraying immigrants as criminals who will harm the economy. Trump uses this tactic to provoke an emotional reaction rather than relying on facts and evidence.

3. appeal to popularity • Trump cites poll numbers to suggest his economic policies were popular, appealing to the wisdom of the masses rather than providing substantive evidence.

The polls say 80 and 85 and even 90% that the Trump economy was great that their economy was terrible.

This implies popularity determines the validity of his policies.

4. loaded language • Trump uses hyperbolic, emotionally charged language like "absolutely dying" and vivid examples to paint an emotionally loaded picture, rather than relying on facts.

People can't go out and buy cereal bacon or eggs or anything else. These the people of our country are absolutely dying with what they've done.

This statement employs dramatic phrasing intended to provoke an emotional reaction from the audience.