Former President Donald Trump's lackluster performance in the recent presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris has raised concerns among his supporters. The debate, held in Philadelphia, saw Harris taking a dominant stance from the start, confidently initiating a handshake and greeting Trump before returning to her podium. This move by Harris to assert dominance set the tone for the ensuing 90 minutes, presenting a stark contrast to Trump's previous victorious debate against Joe Biden.

For many Trump allies, this debate was seen as a missed opportunity to turn the tide on Harris' perceived "honeymoon" period as vice president. Despite hopes for a solid performance to reshape the narrative, concerns now loom that Trump's most recent showing could result in a downward spiral for his campaign. Yet, opinions among Trump's supporters remain divided, with some defending his performance and others acknowledging its lackluster nature.

One of the key criticisms aimed at Harris during the debate was her inability to convince voters that she could effectively address the economic challenges, to which she's been connected via her tie-breaking votes in the Senate. Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, a long-time Trump ally who assisted in debate preparations, stated that Harris failed to meet the moment, with Trump effectively reflecting the economic anxieties of Americans. Gaetz emphasized that while Harris exuded joy, it is not enough to pay the grocery bills while Trump demonstrated determination to fix what he believed she had broken.

However, even those who support Trump expressed concern that his underwhelming performance, less than two months before Election Day, was a self-inflicted wound. Republican operatives highlighted Trump's inability or unwillingness to recognize when he was being baited and avoid falling for it, describing it as a constant source of bafflement. Others within Trump's debate camp, who spoke on condition of anonymity, admitted that the performance was lackluster and that Harris occasionally caught Trump off guard. Nevertheless, they believed that, given the entrenched positions of both sides, the impact of the debate on shifting voter sentiment would be limited.

Trump's past debate experiences, having participated in 18 debates over three presidential runs, had established him as a formidable force due to his hyper-aggressive style and deliberate use of lies to overshadow opponents. However, against Harris, these tactics did not have the desired effect. Throughout the debate, Harris successfully baited Trump into focusing on grievances such as rally crowds and conspiracy theories, diverting attention away from substantive policy discussions.

Trump, in a brief appearance in the spin room after the debate, doubled down on debunked claims regarding Haitian immigrants in Ohio eating family pets. While some staunch Trump supporters struggled to spin his performance positively, others acknowledged Harris' success in shifting the narrative and de-risking the event.

In the aftermath of the debate, blame was placed on ABC News moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis, as Trump supporters saw their real-time fact-checking of the former president as biased. Criticisms were raised regarding the moderators' differential treatment of Harris, who made fewer false statements during the debate.

As the election draws nearer, the debate's impact on voter sentiment remains uncertain. While Trump's lackluster performance has undoubtedly caused concern among his supporters, it remains to be seen if this will significantly alter the course of the race. The focus now shifts to what lies ahead in the rapidly evolving political landscape.