Ron DeSantis addresses Donald Trump's absence in third GOP debate, Internet says 'sit down'
MIAMI, FLORIDA: The third GOP debate in Miami, Florida hosted by Lester Holt, Kristen Welker, and Hugh Hewitt started off with a question about former President Donald Trump, who was not present at the debate, much like the first and second GOP debate.
The question was aimed at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who was the first Republican candidate to speak at the third GOP debate and faced backlash on social media for the same.
DeSantis’ opening answer which talked about Trump’s accountability and more, had the internet asking him to “drop out.”
Ron DeSantis says ‘Well I care’
Moderator Lester Holt posed the first question of the third GOP debate, “Okay, our opening question is one for all of you. Donald Trump is the first ex-President in more than a hundred years to run for the White House again, and he remains popular among Republican primary voters as his legal challenges mount.”
Holt continued, “Gov DeSantis let me begin with you on this one. Speak to Republican voters who are supporting Donald Trump. Why should you, and not him be the Republican nominee to face Joe Biden a year from now?”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis responded, “This country is in trouble, and the elites that have put us here, they don’t care about you. They don’t care that you’re having to grapple with higher grocery prices or have higher gas prices.”
Donald Trump said Republicans were going to get tired of winning.
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) November 9, 2023
Well we saw last night. I’m sick of Republicans losing.
In Florida, I showed how it’s done. One year ago here, we won a historic victory — including a massive landslide right here in Miami-Dade County. pic.twitter.com/L1TajYgtm8
“They don’t care that your family is less secure because of the open border that’s allowed drugs and even terrorists to come into this country,” said DeSantis.
He continued, “Well, I care. I’m not going to sit idly by and let this country continue its downward spiral. We need leadership, and we need it now.”
It wasn’t until the second half of his answer that DeSantis mentioned Donald Trump, “Now if you look where we are now, it’s a lot different than where we were in 2016, and Donald Trump’s a lot different guy than he was in 2016.”
“He owes it to you to be on this stage and explain why he should get another chance. He should explain why he didn’t help Mexico pay for the border wall. He should explain why he racked up so much debt. He should explain why he didn’t drain the swamp,” said DeSantis.
He continued, “And he said Republicans were going to get tired of winning. We saw last night, I’m sick of Republicans losing. In Florida, I showed how it’s done.”
Although DeSantis was met with applause in Miami, the internet wasn’t too impressed.
Internet reacts to Ron DeSantis’ opening answer
After Ron DeSantis shared his opening statement which was connected to the question about why voters should choose him over Donald Trump, the internet wasn’t thrilled. One user wrote, “Bro it's not your time, stop dividing the party. Support Trump then come in after.”
Bro its not your time, stop dividing tge party. Support Trump then come in after.
— Be4r (@PapaBe4r911) November 9, 2023
“What a clown show and a complete waste of time!” wrote one user, and another said, “Just sit down, Ron.”
People relentlessly mocked DeSantis on social media, as one user wrote, “Meh. Time to drop out,” and another said, “Dude that was Pathetic.”
“He should have gone to the Trump rally,” joked one user.