For his closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the debate was a much-needed chance to overturn flagging poll numbers and demonstrate that he was a viable alternative.
The moderators began with a question on the hit song “Rich Men North of Richmond” about the segregation of the working class, leading DeSantis, 44, to warn that the country is “in decline.”
“This decline is not inevitable. It is an option,” he said.
DeSantis also talked about his record keeping Florida open during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he discussed how he would have been happy if he had fired government scientist Anthony Fauci.
With a major overhaul needed to remove Trump from office, the debate offered a showcase for candidates aspiring to be Trump’s running mates.
For lower-profile candidates like businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, the event was a chance to present themselves to the wider public – as well as stake their claim for jobs in a future Trump administration.