Like much of the country, ESPN personality Mina Kimes was glued to her screen during Tuesday night’s presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. As the candidates presented their platforms and addressed key issues facing the nation, it became apparent that some topics received more attention than others—a fact that did not sit well with Kimes.
As the debate drew to a close, Kimes took to social media to voice her disappointment, particularly with how long it took for the conversation to touch on one critical issue: climate change. “In 20 years, history will not look kindly at the fact that it took 1.5 hours of a debate to (briefly) get to climate change,” Kimes tweeted, making it clear that she felt the issue should have been addressed earlier and in greater depth.
Kimes’ comment sparked discussion, with one user responding that no one would likely remember this specific debate 20 years from now. Kimes replied with a more sobering perspective: “They will look back at the issues we prioritized, with great regret,” underscoring her belief that climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time and that its lack of prominence in political discussions could have lasting consequences.
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Tuesday’s debate marked the first time Trump and Harris had the opportunity to present their platforms directly to a national audience since receiving their respective nominations. While issues like the economy, healthcare, and foreign policy dominated much of the debate, climate change only received brief attention toward the end, leaving many, like Kimes, feeling that the issue had been sidelined.
The conversation around the debate was further amplified when pop superstar Taylor Swift made headlines by officially endorsing Kamala Harris on Instagram. Swift, who has become increasingly vocal about her political beliefs in recent years, urged her millions of followers to research the candidates and make informed decisions. “I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make,” Swift said in her post, expressing her support for Harris and encouraging others to get involved in the election process.
Swift’s endorsement, which was seen as a significant moment for her fanbase, particularly young voters, also included a call to action: to either vote or register to do so before the upcoming election. Many political analysts believe that Swift’s involvement could galvanize younger voters, a demographic that is often underrepresented at the polls.
As the nation inches closer to Election Day, it remains to be seen whether Trump and Harris will face off in another debate. Meanwhile, the vice presidential candidates—Tim Walz for the Democrats and JD Vance for the Republicans—are scheduled to hold their own debate soon, where they will likely address issues left out of the main event.
With less than two months until voters head to the polls, both parties are vying for every advantage they can gain.
Whether or not the candidates will make climate change a central issue in future discussions remains unclear, but Kimes’ frustration echoed the sentiments of many who believe that the topic deserves far more attention on the national stage.
As Swift’s endorsement of Harris continues to make waves, political pundits and voters alike will be watching closely to see if it has any impact on the race. And for Kimes, the hope is that climate change and other critical issues will take center stage before it’s too late.
