The second Republican debate for the 2024 presidential nomination took place without front-runner Donald Trump, leading his chief rivals to criticize his absence. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is polling second in the race, criticized Trump for being “missing in action.” Meanwhile, Trump was in Detroit, Michigan attempting to woo striking auto workers. The eventual Republican nominee will go head-to-head with likely Democratic candidate, President Joe Biden, in next year’s election.
The debate, hosted by the Fox Business Network, featured several candidates including Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, Mike Pence, Tim Scott, and Doug Burgum. Asa Hutchinson, who appeared in the first debate, did not qualify for the second debate. The atmosphere was initially polite with candidates engaging in civil discourse. However, as the debate progressed, some candidates targeted Ramaswamy, who has gained momentum since the first debate.
Ramaswamy, a former entrepreneur, faced criticism for his business dealings in China and attracted attention for his unorthodox policy proposals. But he remained defiant, smiling and remarking on the interruptions he faced. He also garnered attention for stating that being transgender was a mental health disorder and proposing a ban on social media use for children under 16. Nikki Haley vocally criticized Ramaswamy, stating that listening to him made her feel “a little bit dumber” and that he couldn’t be trusted.
Other candidates, like Doug Burgum, called for treating taxpayers like customers, emphasizing the need for better service. However, much of the focus remained on Trump’s absence and his unwillingness to defend his record in office. Chris Christie, a long-time critic of Trump, mocked him by calling him “Donald Duck.” Trump, who maintains a significant lead over his Republican challengers in opinion polls, had stated in advance that he would not be attending the event due to concerns about bias among the moderators and venue selection.
While the debate unfolded, Trump delivered a speech in the Detroit suburbs at an auto supplier. He barely mentioned his opponents and instead focused on criticizing President Biden and his support for electric vehicle production. Trump urged workers to have their union leaders endorse his presidential bid, promising that he would properly take care of their interests.
This skirmish between Trump and Biden is an early indication of the battle for the blue-collar vote, which will be a crucial demographic in the upcoming election. A recent CBS News poll showed Trump leading Biden by one point in a hypothetical rematch of the 2020 election. The Republican candidate will be chosen through state-by-state contests starting in January, with Iowa hosting the first one. The winner will be officially selected at the party convention in Milwaukee in July and will face the general election just four months later.
