Ron DeSantis now wants to take on Donald Trump in another sign that the Florida governor is trying to cement himself as the top contender to take on the 2024 frontrunner.
Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign says Republicans should just go ahead and cancel the rest of the debates, claiming they make no difference to those trying to close the ex-president’s huge lead.
Speaking to Fox News host Sean Hannity, DeSantis said that as he prepares for a one-on-one debate with California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, he might as well challenge Trump for it.
“You know what, maybe we can say that since the former president didn’t come here, maybe he would be willing to do one with you and me,” DeSantis said in a post-debate spin room interview.
“I think he owes it to our voters to come and make his case.”
It echoed his debate comments in which he called on the ex-president to come to a Republican Party primary debate to defend his record.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is now challenging Donald Trump to a one-on-one debate after the ex-president failed to show up for the GOP’s second straight primary debate
Gov. DeSantis (pictured with Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis) says Trump should show up for the debates
Trump has suggested he could bypass all primary debates, noting that the events are beneath his level as no candidate can reach his voting level.
On Monday, during a campaign stop in Summerville, South Carolina, the ex-president called the Republican primary debates “stupid.”
‘It’s actually a job interview. Look at the debates, it’s a job interview, and so far I’m not that interested,” he said at a campaign field office.
For the first debate last month in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Trump instead sat down with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson for an interview that aired just five minutes before the start of the event.
On Wednesday, Trump chose to speak to auto industry workers in Detroit, Michigan rather than attend the second debate.
“Tonight’s GOP debate was just as boring and inconsequential as the first debate, and nothing said will change the dynamics of the primaries dominated by President Trump,” wrote Chris LaCivita, senior adviser to the ex- president from 2024, in a statement about the debate. .
He urged: “The RNC must immediately put an end to all further primary debates so we can focus our fire on Crooked Joe Biden and stop wasting time and money that could lead to Biden’s expulsion from the White House.’
DeSantis caught fire at the start of the second Republican presidential debate by accusing Trump of “missing in action.”
As the seven candidates bickered in Simi Valley, California, Trump skipped the debate and instead spoke to auto industry workers in suburban Detroit, Michigan, as the UAW negotiates higher wages and shorter work weeks.
For DeSantis, what started as an attack on President Joe Biden quickly turned to the former president.
“Where is Joe Biden, he is completely missing in action from leadership,” DeSantis said when co-moderators from Fox and Univision asked about the economy and the prospects of a government shutdown.
“And you know who else is missing?” the governor added. ‘Donald Trump is missing in action. He should be on stage tonight.”
“He owes it to you to defend his record,” he said. They added. 7.8 trillion in debt that paved the way for the inflation we have now.”
Seven candidates qualified for the debate stage: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis; biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy; former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley; Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina; former Vice President Mike Pence; former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie; and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
But with all the candidates so far still backing Trump, many still view the debate as part of the race for second place.
‘Donald Trump is missing in action. He should be on this stage tonight,” DeSantis said Wednesday evening during the second presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
Seven GOP candidates took the stage Wednesday evening during the second Republican primary debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California
Meanwhile, Trump skipped the event Wednesday night for remarks to union auto industry workers in suburban Detroit, Michigan — specifically to kick off an hour before the GOP debate.
The governor’s comments were almost a direct repeat of what Chris Christie said moments earlier.
“The inflation that Nikki (Haley) talked about is absolutely correct. It is caused by government spending and that is why people across the country are suffering tonight,” Christie said from his podium, a few feet away from DeSantis.
“And yet we’re getting no answers because Joe Biden is hiding in his basement and won’t answer why he’s increasing debt this way,” he added. “And Donald Trump, he’s hiding behind the walls of his golf clubs and won’t show up here to answer questions like the rest of us are here to answer.”
Christie demanded of the ex-president: “He put $7 trillion on the debt, he should be in this room to answer those questions.
Later, Christie continued his attacks on Trump, speaking directly to his former ally by speaking to the camera.
“We need to bring law and order back to this country – and not just in our cities… and we need that in Washington, DC, too. Donald Trump should be here to take accountability for that, but he isn’t,” Christie noted when speaking about the increase in crime.
“I’m going to look at a camera now and tell you, Donald, that I know you’re watching. There is nothing you can do about it. I know you’re watching, okay?’ the former New Jersey governor said to laughter from the audience of about 750 in-person spectators.
Christie claimed, “And you’re not here tonight – not because of polls, and not because of your charges. You’re not here tonight because you’re afraid to stand on the podium and defend your record.”