Previewing the upcoming GOP debate in Milwaukee
Eight Republican candidates for the party’s nominee in the 2024 election have taken to the stage for the first debate of their presidential campaigns.
With the notable absence of Donald Trump hanging over proceedings, the Republican National Committee pressed ahead with the event, hosted by Fox News and moderated by presenters Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are placed centre stage respectively flanked by former Vice President Mike Pence and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to the left and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott to the right, with the two end spots occupied by former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson on the left and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum on the right.
Mr DeSantis has fallen back in the polls but remains in second place, though significantly behind former president Trump. Other candidates will be looking for a breakout moment to get their campaigns on a firmer footing to better challenge the one-term president as he faces multiple criminal charges.
In an act of counter-programming, Mr Trump instead sat for an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that is airing on X at the same time.
