(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) Republican candidates for presidential clashed in the third GOP debate, sparking a whirlwind of intense Twitter buzz.
Vivek Ramaswamy, a standout figure of the night, garnered attention with scathing remarks that reverberated across Twitter. Notably, despite the absence of former President Donald Trump, who continues to opt out of the debates, he was declared the de facto winner by some commentators.
Ramaswamy’s fervent address against RNC chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel went quickly viral, particularly as the GOP grappled with its embarrassing shortcomings in the Nov. 7 elections in Virginia, Kentucky and New Jersey.
“We’ve become a party of losers… since Ronna McDaniel took over as chairwoman of the RNC in 2017 we have lost 2018, 2020, 2022, no red wave, that never came,” he said before demanding McDaniel’s immediate resignation, echoing sentiments expressed by several influential Republicans.
🚨 BREAKING: Vivek Ramaswamy destroys Ronna Romney McDaniel, demand she come on stage and RESIGN, says Joe Rogan and Elon Musk should be hosting the debate instead of hacks like Kristen Welker who pushed the Russian Collusion Hoax 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hxcBxGrdPN
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 9, 2023
The spotlight then turned to former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, as Ramaswamy boldly questioned the crowd, “Do you want a leader from a different generation, who’s going to put this country first or do you want Dick Cheney in three-inch heels.”
Haley’s retort fell flat, attempting to correct Ramaswamy by claiming she wears “5-inch heels” as “ammunition.”
NEW: Nikki Haley’s X account appears to have threatened Vivek Ramaswamy after he made fun of her and Ron Desantis for being “Dick Cheney 3 inch heels.”
The comment from Haley came after Vivek called her out for getting rich off of politics.
“You have the likes of Nikki Haley,… pic.twitter.com/r5WAT9VDWm
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 9, 2023
The confrontational atmosphere persisted as Ramaswamy accused Haley of hypocrisy, highlighting her alleged criticism of TikTok while allowing her daughter to use the app.
Haley swiftly defended herself, spewing a slur at Ramaswamy. “Leave my daughter out of your voice … You’re just scum.”
“Leave my daughter out of your voice … You’re just scum.”
— Nikki Haley hits Vivek Ramaswamy after he brings up the fact that her daughter, like him, uses TikTok. pic.twitter.com/3CKUupHaD1
— The Recount (@therecount) November 9, 2023
Meanwhile, Trump’s presence loomed large over the event, with some pundits on Twitter declaring him as the winner of the night.
Brigitte Gabriel, author and commentator, proclaimed on Twitter, “President Trump is the winner of tonight’s debate,” while podcast host Megyn Kelly reinforced the sentiment, asserting, “Nothing changed. Trump won.”
President Trump is the winner of tonight’s debate.
— Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) November 9, 2023
Nothing changed. Trump won.
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) November 9, 2023
While the debate unfolded, Trump held a rally in Florida, attracting the endorsement of Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Even the traditionally left-leaning New York Times acknowledged Trump’s dominance in the polls and the GOP.
“But in the end, it was unclear how the five candidates onstage could catch Mr. Trump if they would not directly answer the question that started and ended the debate: Why should Republican voters choose them over Mr. Trump?” the Times remarked.
.@SarahHuckabee: “It’s not even a question anymore between right and left — it is normal vs. crazy, and the left is doubling down on crazy.”
“Tonight, I am so proud to endorse my former boss, my friend, and everybody’s favorite president, Donald J. Trump.” #TrumpRally pic.twitter.com/J9Hs8Rq2ZD
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) November 9, 2023
WATCH: President Trump just took the stage to a THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE at his rally in Hialeah, Florida.
I AM HERE HAVING AN AMAZING TIME WATCHING THIS COUNTER PROGRAMMING!
FLORIDA LOVES PRESIDENT TRUMP!!! #Trump2024 pic.twitter.com/OeNfzJcNaK
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) November 9, 2023
