Like Socrates debating Scooby-Doo

Donald Trump once said nobody understands television like he does.

- VINAY MENON

On Tuesday, the former reality star now unhinged from reality absorbed a humiliating lesson: Kamala Harris understands television better than he does.

Going into the debate, MAGA operative Corey Lewandowski predicted Dear Leader would come out swinging like Floyd Mayweather or Muhammad Ali. He was right. The problem? Trump spent 90 minutes punching himself in the face.

This guy wants to lead the free world? He is not fit to lead a flea market.

Even before the yapping started, Ms. Harris signalled her intent to be the apex predator on that Philadelphia stage. She ambled past her lectern and went into Trump’s corner to shake his hand. He looked taken aback. He never came back.

Ever since the first Kennedy-Nixon debate in 1960, television has played a crucial role in American politics. Ronald Reagan, an actor, was hypnotic when the cameras were rolling. In 1992, Bill Clinton captivated young voters after playing the sax on “The Arsenio Hall Show.” In 2004, Barack Obama, then a senator, delivered a keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention that electrified viewers and, four years later, propelled him into the White House.

TV is rocket fuel in politics. It can make or break ambitions.

Trump understands this cathode power. It’s why he is addicted to airwaves. But on Tuesday, Ms. Harris weaponized his favourite medium to crush him like a bug as the world watched.