In a fiery Fox News debate on Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newsom pulled no punches when assessing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ political future.
Accusing DeSantis of exploiting immigration issues for political gain, Newsom quipped, “You’re trolling folks and trying to find migrants to play political games, to try to get some news and attention, so you can out-Trump Trump. And, by the way, how’s that going for you, Ron? You’re down 41 points in your own home state.”
Throughout the debate, Newsom asserted that DeSantis stands no chance against Donald Trump, the GOP front-runner. Notably, DeSantis has lost ground as a top alternative to Trump, with Nikki Haley now hot on his heels with less than two months to go before the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses.
“One thing in closing that we have in common is neither of us will be the nominee for our party in 2024,” Newsom told DeSantis.
Marketed as a clash between red and blue ideologies, the gathering was framed as a debate between states, overseen by Fox News host Sean Hannity. The proceedings were marked by a barrage of crosstalk, name-calling, and heated arguments revolving around the comparative merits of each state’s economy and the perceived effectiveness of the governors’ approaches to handling the coronavirus pandemic.
The atmosphere evolved into a confrontational scenario, with Hannity and DeSantis aligning against Newsom. The duo, leaning towards right-wing perspectives, leveled accusations at Newsom, claiming he was orchestrating a covert campaign for the 2024 presidential race. Hannity went a step further, suggesting that Newsom might be clandestinely anointed at the 2024 Democratic convention, bypassing Biden due to the latter’s age. Newsom, however, reaffirmed his support for Biden and dismissed claims of a shadow campaign.
When pressed on Biden’s cognitive decline, Newsom didn’t hold back, stating, “I would take Joe Biden at 100 versus Ron DeSantis any day of the week, at any age.”
The contentious exchange served as a pivotal moment in the ongoing presidential election cycle, shedding light on the challenges faced by both governors in the national spotlight.
Newsom to DeSantis: "You're trolling folks and trying to find migrants to play political games, to try to get some news and attention, so you can out-trump Trump. And by the way, how's that going for you, Ron? You're down 41 points in your own home state." pic.twitter.com/rLdwZC2zHX
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) December 1, 2023
