The fourth Republican debate took place on Wednesday at the University of Alabama situated in Tuscaloosa.
In the last GOP primary debate of 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswami participated.
Former U.S. President and the dominant GOP front-runner, Donald Trump, once again remained missing from the stage as he chose to participate in a fundraiser in Florida. Before the debate, it was speculated that the ex-president could make an appearance at the debate. Erstwhile White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney had hinted that Trump's campaign team had contacted the debate organizers with logistical queries.
Ahead of the GOP debate, Trump held a town hall with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday where he dismissed allegations that he harbored authoritarian tendencies.
The fourth debate was hosted by NewsNation and moderated by the network’s Elizabeth Vargas, former Fox News host Megyn Kelly and Washington Free Beacon’s Eliana Johnson.
DeSantis Is Sick Of Pundits And Polls Indicating Trump's Going To Win
The first question was asked to DeSantis about how despite having major spending available for his election campaign, how is it that Trump surpassed him in all polls — including in Florida.
In response, DeSantis said that he was tired of all pundits and polls who indicate that Trump is going to win. The governor also said that he has been underestimated before but he continues to deliver results.
The Republican presidential hopeful also targeted other Republicans saying that he is "sick" of them for not standing up against "what the left is doing to the country."
Ramaswamy, DeSantis Targets Haley From The Outset, Christie Praises Her Intelligence
DeSantis targeted the former South Carolina governor from the beginning saying that Haley, "caves anytime the left comes after her." In response, Haley said that DeSantis continues to lie about her record.
Ramaswamy also took a shot at Haley and said that she joined Boeing after stepping down from her position as U.S. ambassador to the UN. He also said that Haley gave paid speeches like Hilary Clinton.
Haley hit back at her rivals by saying that they were "jealous" of her donors and wished they had the same kind of support she did.
Ramaswamy accused Haley of being bankrupt when she left the UN and is now a multimillionaire, saying the math doesn't add up. "It adds up to the fact that you are corrupt."
The entrepreneur also insulted her intelligence on foreign matters saying that she cannot even name three Ukraine provinces where they want to send American troops.
However, after both DeSantis and Ramaswamy, with the latter being more aggressive, continued to take shots at Haley, Christie said that although he doesn't agree with her on everything, she is a "smart, accomplished woman" and that Ramawamy should stop "insulting" her.
Ramaswamy Plays The Outsider, Age Card Again, But Christie Wasn't Impressed
Entrepreneur Ramaswamy continued to play his age and outsider card saying that it will take a "leader from the outside, with a fresh lens, from the next generation, to unite this country. Not the broken politicians, who are the puppets of the puppet masters, but the actual people in this country."
However, later when both Ramaswamy and Christie got into a heated debate over how the tech entrepreneur was "insulting" the basic intelligence of a fellow candidate, the former governor called him out and said that he was the "most obnoxious, blowhard" person in America.
Christie Was Silent In The First Phase, Then Called Trump ‘Voldemort'
The subject of internet anonymity was discussed at length, which caused some delay before Christie could finally speak. In fact, in the first 15 minutes of the debate during which both Ramaswamy and DeSantis targeted Haley, Christie never got to speak.
However, when he did, his first question was why his fellow debate participants were not talking about that one person who was winning all the polls.
"We are 17 minutes into this debate," Christie said, "I've got these three guys who are all seeming to compete with Voldemort – he who shall not be named. They don't want to talk about it."
Christie also said that Trump doesn't have the "guts" to show up and stand here and do the debate.
"I am in this race because the truth needs to be told," said Christie.
Florida Governor Says Joe Biden Is Trying To ‘Kneecap' Israel, But Christie Said DeSantis Didn't Answer The Question
During the debate, Florida governor DeSantis said that the Joe Biden administration has been trying to hobble Israel from defending itself.
"Joe Biden will say they support Israel, and then they do nothing but try to kneecap them every step of the way," said DeSantis.
DeSantis highlighted that he is the only person running for President who has served in the military. "I understand that part of the world. It's not the best part of the world."
However, former governor Christie took a shot at DeSantis and said that he never answered the question. Addressing the moderation, Christie said, "Your Question was very specific. You said would you send American troops as commander-in-chief," but he spoke about his knowledge of the military.
"Look, when you are President of the United States, you are not going to have a choice, whether to answer that question or not," said Christie, adding, "You can't give a 90-second speech about your military service."
Christie was then asked if he would send American troops to rescue the hostages in Gaza, he replied, "I would absolutely."
DeSantis Addresses The Question About Trump Being ‘Mentally Fit To Be President'
The Florida governor pointed out that Trump would be nearly 80 should he be elected for a second term. He said that the country also needs a President who can serve two terms.
When the question was reiterated, DeSantis quickly said, "I think we need to have somebody younger. I think when you get up to 80, I don't think it’s a job for that."
The governor also argued that Trump didn't fulfill his 2016 election promises.
"He didn't even fire Dr. Fauci. He didn't fire Christopher Wray. He didn't clean up the swamp. He said he was going to drain it. He did not drain it. He said he was going to build a wall and have Mexico pay for it. We don't have the wall. He did say in 2016 he would have the largest deportation program in history. He deported less than Barack Obama did."
When former governor Christie continued to push DeSantis to answer the question, DeSantis said that he doesn't think Trump is "as bad as Biden."
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