In a highly anticipated showdown between two prominent governors, former President Donald Trump shared his thoughts on the debate between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and California Governor Gavin Newsom. The event, titled “The Great Red State vs. Blue State Debate,” was hosted by Sean Hannity and featured a clash of ideologies on issues such as abortion, crime, taxes, and COVID-19.
Former President Trump, who is currently leading the Republican primary field, watched the debate and commended both candidates for their performance. “I thought it was a very even debate,” Trump stated. “They both worked hard and they both did well.” Despite his previous criticism of DeSantis, Trump refrained from making any additional negative remarks about the Florida governor.
The conversation during the debate quickly shifted towards the 2024 presidential race, with DeSantis accusing Newsom of being closely aligned with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. DeSantis expressed concerns about Biden’s declining mental state and labeled him as a threat to the country. In response, Newsom voiced his support for Biden and his re-election campaign, stating, “I’m proud of the work Biden and Harris have done. I will take Joe Biden at 100 rather than Ron DeSantis any day of the week at any age.”
However, Newsom took the opportunity to criticize DeSantis and his campaign, mocking his poll numbers in Florida. “How’s that going for you, Ron? You’re down 41 points in your own home state,” Newsom taunted. Despite the exchange, Newsom assured both governors that neither of them would be their party’s nominee in 2024.
According to the RealClearPolitics polling average, Trump currently holds a lead over Biden in a general election match-up, with 47% to 45.3% support, respectively. In the Republican primary, Trump maintains a significant lead at 62%, while DeSantis follows closely at 13.6%.
The debate between DeSantis and Newsom showcased the ideological divide between red and blue states in the United States. Both governors presented their perspectives on crucial issues, capturing the attention of viewers nationwide. As the 2024 campaign trail continues to unfold, the nation eagerly awaits further developments and exclusive interviews with key political figures.
Brooke Singman is a digital politics reporter at Fox News. For more updates on the 2024 campaign trail and exclusive interviews, follow Brooke Singman on Twitter @BrookeSingman or contact her at [email protected].
