The Aug. 23 GOP presidential primary debate at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, saw a notable moment when former U.S. Ambassador to the UN and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis raised their hands in support of former President Donald Trump, even in the scenario of a conviction.
This stance drew attention due to President Trump’s ongoing legal battles. He’s facing indictments in Manhattan, accused of campaign finance violations related to payments to Stormy Daniels; at the federal level, facing allegations of mishandling documents and election interference; and in Fulton County, Georgia, over the 2020 election. President Trump has maintained his innocence in these cases.
In contrast, former Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) held up his finger, not to express support for Trump if convicted, but to underline his belief that the party should not normalize behavior beneath the presidential office. This position sparked disagreement from the audience.
Vivek Ramaswamy passionately defended Trump, lauding him as “the best president of the 21st century.” He decried the “weaponization” of the justice system for political ends, urging an end to this dangerous precedent. His words were met with applause, leading moderator Bret Baier to intervene and quiet the crowd.
The debate heated up as Christie criticized Ramaswamy, invoking his experience as a U.S. Attorney and governor, and emphasizing his unwillingness to bow to Trump or his actions, which Christie perceived as disrespectful to the Constitution. The debate, hosted by Fox News, showcased diverse perspectives within the Republican party.
Regarding the events of January 6, 2021, the candidates, excluding Ramaswamy, defended former Vice President Mike Pence’s decision to prioritize the Constitution over Trump’s demands during the certification of the 2020 election.
Sen. Scott denounced the “weaponization” of the Department of Justice, pledging to replace Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray. Gov. DeSantis joined in, advocating for the end of federal agency “weaponization.”
Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.) reiterated his belief that Trump’s actions on January 6 disqualified him from running for president again, drawing mixed reactions from the audience.
Haley called for a new generation of conservative leadership, highlighting that many Americans are not interested in a Biden vs. Trump rematch, given Trump’s controversial reputation. She emphasized the importance of appealing to a broader electorate for a general election victory.
In a concurrent interview with Tucker Carlson, President Trump criticized the indictments against him as baseless and nonsensical, using strong language to express his view. The interview was strategically released on X (formerly Twitter) to offer an alternative perspective to the GOP debate.
