All the best memes and jokes from the second Republican debate
Here are 8 hilarious memes that surfaced online after the second Republican debate
The second 2024 Republican presidential debate took place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, on Wednesday, September 27. As the seven candidates, including Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Mike Pence, Chris Christie, Tim Scott and Doug Burgum, debated with each other on the stage, netizens responded with a barrage of hilarious memes and funny jokes.
Vivek Ramaswamy's viral hairdo
As biotech investor and presidential hopeful, Ramaswamy, took the stage during the second GOP debate. But more than his talking points, it was his hair that went viral. The pompadour-like upwards combed hairstyle sparked an immediate memefest on social media, with netizens comparing Ramaswamy's hairdo with the titular characters of the of 90s cartoon Beavis and Butt-Head. "Why does Vivek have Butthead’s haircut?" one user asked.
The iconic DeSantis grimace
Florida governor DeSantis' awkward smile during the second Republican debate was another moment that sparked an instant memefest on social media. As per TNR, DeSantis attempted to plaster a smile on face while speaking about vetoing "bloating spending bills," but his expression quickly turned into a disturbed grimace. "Oh my, DeSantis did it again tonight: the rant, followed by the forced smile, followed by the grimace. Hilarious. He is beyond saving," MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan wrote.
From Donald Trump to Donald Duck
Former New Jersey governor, Christie, continued his attacks on former US president Donald Trump during the second Republican debate. Netizens responded with memes and jokes and Christie said, "You’re not here tonight because you're afraid to defend your record. You’re ducking…We’re going to call you Donald Duck," in reference to Trump's absence from the debate. "Donald Duck upside down is secretly Donald Trump," joked an X user.
Chris Christie's remarks backfired
Governor Christie ended up becoming the subject of numerous memes himself as Trump supporters decided to clap back against the former governor for his attack on Trump. "BREAKING! Governor Chris Christie spotted eating a giant sandwich during a #GOPDebate commercial break. Absolutely disrespectful and disgusting!" one supporter mocked.
'Breaking Bad' ft. Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy
As former UN ambassador and South Carolina governor Haley attacked Ramaswamy saying, "Every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber," during the second GOP debate, the Internet brought back the viral Walter White meme from 'Breaking Bad.' In the audio of the clip, which became previously a TikTok trend, Walter could be heard saying the signature quote, "Someone cooked here." Netizens used the same phrase to describe Haley's comments on Ramaswamy.
Mike Pence's 'charisma of a damp napkin'
Former vice president Mike Pence attempted to play on words during the second Republican debate but, unfortunately, his jokes fell flat. The crowd failed to respond when Pence joked about president Joe Biden's support towards UAW strikers by saying he "doesn't belong on a picket line" but on the "unemployment line." The audience was also weirded out when Pence said he has been "sleeping with a teacher for 38 years" in response to Christie saying Biden is "sleeping with a member of the teacher's union." Pence soon became the subject of online memes, with one user saying, "Mike Pence bringing the charisma of a damp napkin to the GOP."
'Before and After' GOP debate
Netizens were also quick to present the impact of the second GOP presidential debate in "before and after" memes. "Me before watching the Republican debates and me after," wrote @JJandtheIcons using a dolled up and dishevelled look of a cartoon character.
Internet sums up second Republican debate
Social media users also used memes and jokes to sum up the second GOP debate. Perhaps one of the most hilarious memes used in connection to the debate came in the form of Jim Downey's viral 'The Ultimate Insult' clip shared by an X user. "Everyone after the #GOPDebate," the user wrote using Robert Downey Jr's clip where he says, "What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."