US Elections 2024: Absent Trump steals show at raucous first Republican debate
New Indian ExpressTrump's snubbing of the two-hour Milwaukee event deprived a chasing pack of rivals, whom he leads by massive margins in polls, of the opportunity to direct shots at him live on stage. Fierce debate, noisy clashes The debate moderators opened with a question on the hit song "Rich Men North of Richmond," about working-class alienation, prompting Trump's closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to warn that the country is "in decline." Trump's vice president Mike Pence said he was the "best prepared" candidate for office but was booed during an exchange with Ramaswamy for calling the political newcomer a "rookie." DeSantis was asked whether Pence was right to certify the results of the 2020 election, which Trump claims falsely was stolen, and said that "Mike did his duty -- I have no beef with him." The Biden campaign bought expensive ad slots on Fox News and its website before the debate, while the president said he would watch as much of the event "as I can."