During her first primary debate with Republican opponents in Colorado's 4th congressional district, Rep. Lauren Boebert faced questions about her decision to switch districts, with opponents accusing her of "carpetbagging" by running for an office in a district where she doesn't live. Boebert defended her move, citing personal reasons and the need for a fresh start, while also facing scrutiny over past controversies and residency issues.
CNN cancels the Republican primary debate in New Hampshire after only one candidate, Ron DeSantis, accepted the invitation. Both Donald Trump and Nikki Haley declined to participate, with Haley stating she won't join further debates unless they include Trump or President Biden. DeSantis criticized Haley for being "afraid to participate" and expressed his commitment to honoring his debate commitments. CNN will instead host a town hall with Haley, while the cancellation raises concerns about the impact of debates without key candidates.
ABC News and WMUR have canceled the Republican primary debate in New Hampshire due to a lack of candidate participation, with Donald Trump and Nikki Haley failing to respond to invitations by the deadline. Only Ron DeSantis and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie had qualified and confirmed participation, but Christie has since exited the race. Haley stated she would only debate Trump or President Joe Biden, leaving DeSantis as the sole committed candidate for the debate. Candidates had to meet specific criteria to qualify for the debate, including finishing in the top three in the Iowa caucuses or meeting polling thresholds.
ABC News has canceled its Republican primary debate in New Hampshire due to a lack of participating candidates, with Nikki Haley and Donald Trump failing to confirm their participation. Haley expressed a desire to debate either Trump or President Biden in the future, while DeSantis accused her of avoiding tough questions and running for Trump's VP. DeSantis and Chris Christie had initially agreed to join the debate, but Christie dropped out of the race.
This week, key legal dates for Donald Trump include a motion deadline in the Georgia election subversion case, a federal appeals court hearing on presidential immunity, and closing arguments in his New York civil fraud trial, as well as the Republican primary debate where Trump's absence is notable as he opts for a Fox News town hall instead.
Former President Trump criticized former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, calling him "sloppy" and "not fit to run for President" after Christie's strong showing in a recent Republican primary debate. Trump accused Christie of suffering from "Trump Derangement Syndrome" and claimed to have come in first in all debates without even being present. This is not the first time Trump has attacked Christie following a debate, as he previously called him a "bum" after Christie criticized him in a GOP primary debate.
A panelist on Megyn Kelly's show made a derogatory comment about Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, saying he "looks like he shot his dog" during a discussion about his lagging poll numbers. DeSantis has faced criticism for his perceived lack of charisma and awkwardness. Body language expert Greg Hartley also criticized DeSantis' performance, calling him a "train wreck" due to his constant fidgeting and head movements. However, other panelists defended DeSantis, stating that this was his best debate performance and that he displayed intensity and command.
Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie criticized his fellow Republican candidates during the fourth presidential primary debate, calling out their hesitancy to criticize former president Donald Trump. Christie specifically targeted Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for evading direct questions and labeled tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy as the "most obnoxious blowhard in America" for his insults towards former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley. Christie defended Haley's experience and took aim at Trump's absence from the debate, asserting that he is unfit to be president. Christie later expressed his frustration with Ramaswamy's behavior in an interview, stating that he had "enough" of listening to his "garbage."
Chris Christie defended former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley against entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy's attacks during the fourth Republican primary debate, calling Ramaswamy the "most obnoxious blowhard in America."
GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy faced jeers and boos at a Republican primary debate when he insulted fellow candidate Nikki Haley by holding up a notepad with "NIKKI=CORRUPT" written on it. Ramaswamy questioned Haley's authenticity and criticized her use of identity politics, accusing her of corruption and being controlled by donor puppet masters. Haley refused to respond to his remarks.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy engaged in a heated exchange during a Republican presidential primary debate. Ramaswamy criticized former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's foreign policy views, questioning her knowledge of Ukraine. Christie defended Haley, calling Ramaswamy an "obnoxious blowhard" and highlighting his inconsistency. The clash escalated with Ramaswamy bringing up the "Bridgegate" scandal and labeling Christie and Haley as "toxic" neoconservatives and "fascist neocons." The candidates' low chances for the nomination were noted, but Christie's potential endorsement of Haley could boost her campaign.
In the fourth Republican primary debate, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie criticized his fellow candidates for not going after Donald Trump, who was absent from the debate. While Trump was occasionally referenced and obliquely criticized, the rest of the field largely ignored him. Christie repeatedly tried to re-orient the debate back to Trump, but found few takers. Highlights from the debate included clashes between candidates over issues such as transgender rights, border security, and foreign policy. Christie took the most aggressive stance against Trump, warning that he is an angry, bitter man. Haley defended herself on various issues, including social media verification and private earnings.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will face off again in the fourth Republican primary debate in Alabama, continuing their fiery clashes over foreign policy and personal attacks. Meanwhile, a CNN poll shows a drop in President Joe Biden's job approval ratings, with economic concerns remaining prevalent among Americans. Despite the debates helping Haley gain support, former President Donald Trump continues to dominate the GOP primary field, while the Iowa caucuses loom as a crucial focal point for Republican campaigns. Haley has released a digital video attacking Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of the debate, and the Biden-Harris 2024 campaign has criticized Trump's "dictator" comment as dangerous.
The fourth Republican primary debate will feature only four candidates: Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and Vivek Ramaswamy. With the field narrowing and the Iowa Caucuses approaching, the remaining candidates have a limited opportunity to distinguish themselves and prove their viability against the dominant presence of Donald Trump. Issues to watch include foreign policy, government shutdown, abortion, and Trump's legal troubles. Trump, confident in his position, will not be participating in the debate and will instead attend a private fundraiser in Florida while DeSantis debates his challengers in Alabama.
Former President Donald Trump's recent verbal slip-ups and gaffes on the campaign trail have undermined the Republican argument about Joe Biden's mental fitness for office. Trump's own mistakes have raised questions about his ability to serve as commander-in-chief, weakening the Republican Party's case against Biden. Meanwhile, the third Republican presidential primary debate will feature only five candidates, including Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, who are seen as the strongest alternatives to Trump. The debate is expected to focus on foreign policy, particularly the Israel-Hamas conflict, and could be a crucial opportunity for candidates to differentiate themselves and gain momentum in the race. Additionally, a wave of resignations by election officials in key states is raising concerns about the integrity of the election system ahead of the 2024 presidential contest.
