DeSantis went after Trump with his first speaking opportunity at Wednesday night’s debate, joining former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in lambasting the ex-president’s absence.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis attacked former President Donald Trump for skipping the second GOP presidential debate in his first opportunity to speak on the debate stage Wednesday—marking a departure from his strategy of shying away from attacks on Trump during the first debate last month.... [+]AFP via Getty ImagesDeSantis said Trump “is missing in action” when asked by Univision's Ilia Calderón whether voters should blame “populist politicians” for a looming government shutdown.
Trump “owes it” to the public “to defend his record when they added $7.8 trillion to the [national debt] that set the stage for the inflation we have now,” DeSantis said, referring to the increase in the national debt under Trump’s presidency. DeSantis’ attack followed a similar jab from former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who referenced the national debt growth under Trump and told the audience the ex-president “hides behind the walls of his golf clubs.”DeSantis largely shied away from attacking Trump during the first debate—in line with a strategy drafted by the pro-DeSantis super-PAC Never Back Down that suggested he instead focus his attacks on fellow contender Vivek Ramaswamy and defend Trump.
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