Ex-President Trump had turned down the invitation – so only eight candidates came to the first TV debate of the US Republicans. Their stance on the charges against Trump was interesting, and things got emotional when it came to Ukraine.
It’s their big chance to score points with the voters. Seven men and one woman compete in the Republicans’ first televised debate – not only against each other, but in a long-distance duel, especially against Donald Trump. He leads in polls with over 50 percent. For the others, it’s all about getting noticed.
Just like entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy with his rejection of President Joe Biden’s climate protection measures: “The anti-CO2 agenda is destroying our economy. More people are dying from poor climate protection measures than from climate change.”
Dissent comes from the only woman present, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. However, other countries would also have to bear more responsibility. “Is climate change real? Yes! But if we really want to achieve anything, we have to tell China and India that they have to reduce their emissions.”
It got emotional when it came to Ukraine
In principle, everyone agrees on their aversion to abortions. Currently, each state sets its own rules. Some candidates, like North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, think it should stay that way. Tim Scott, Senator from South Carolina and the only black candidate, wants to restrict the liberal states. “We can’t let states like California, New York and Illinois offer abortions on demand until the day of birth. That’s immoral and wrong,” he says.
The question of whether the US government should continue to support Ukraine so intensively in its defense against the Russian war of aggression becomes emotional. Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis – currently second in party polls – is against it: “All the money is sent there, but we should rather protect our own border.”
He has support for this stance from third-place finisher in the polls, entrepreneur Ramaswamy. With its support for Ukraine, the USA is driving Russia ever further into the arms of China and this must be prevented. Violent contradiction comes from Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence: “If we simply leave the country to Putin, he will soon roll over a NATO border and then our soldiers will have to fight. I want the Ukrainians to send the Russians back to Russia.”
“That doesn’t change the truth”
Of course, Trump and the various charges against him also play a role that evening, even if he didn’t come to the debate himself. When asked if they would support Trump if he was convicted and nominated anyway, most candidates indicated yes.
In addition to former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, only former New Jersey governor Chris Christie openly opposes Trump. “Regardless of whether you believe the allegations are justified or not, the behavior is not worthy of a president,” he says. “You can boo me, but that doesn’t change the truth.”
Trump preferred to be interviewed by Carlson
Instead of participating in the debate on Fox News television, Trump preferred to be interviewed by a former host of the station, Tucker Carlson. The pre-recorded conversation was released on X, formerly known as Twitter, exactly five minutes before the start of the televised debate. He didn’t need to take part in the discussion because of the high poll numbers, Trump said. “Should I sit there for an hour or two and be bothered by people who shouldn’t be competing?”
In the first televised debate, not all candidates took their chance to stand out. Entrepreneur Ramaswamy has shown himself to be particularly argumentative, with verbal attacks on climate protection and aid to Ukraine. However, all candidates tried not to give the Trump issue too much space. In the end, the question remains whether any of them can manage to catch up with Trump in the primaries.