Candidates spar in first GOP debate

Eight of the nine Republican presidential hopefuls met in Milwaukee last night and debated various topics, including education, illegal immigration, abortion, climate change, the Trump indictments, and even UFOs. The candidates uniformly supported increasing border security, decreasing federal spending, and implementing pro-life policies. Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy criticized the influence of super PACs on candidates, acknowledged his faith, and called climate change a hoax. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said she believes climate change exists, but said China and India are the problem, not the United States. Former Vice President Mike Pence touted himself as the best candidate based on his experience in the White House. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would not support more aid to Ukraine and blamed the COVID-19 lockdowns for America’s below-average education ratings and slower economy.

What did they say about Donald Trump? The former president is the frontrunner in polls but opted not to participate in the debate. Six candidates said they would support a Trump 2024 campaign if he won the Republican nomination. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said they would not. Hutchinson called Trump “morally disqualified from being president again.”

Dig deeper: Read Leo Briceno’s report in WORLD Magazine about how former President Donald Trump’s fourth criminal indictment might affect his 2024 campaign.