DeSantis, Christie rip Trump for skipping debate

Former President Donald Trump was denounced by his Republican opponents Wednesday night for failing to show up on the debate stage and defend his record.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie blamed the high inflation vexing the U.S. not only on President Biden’s policies but also on Mr. Trump.

“During the Trump administration, they added $7 trillion in national debt and now the Biden administration has put another $5 trillion on and counting,” Mr. Christie said. “And yet, we don’t get any answers because Joe Biden hides in his basement … and Donald Trump — he hides behind the walls of his golf clubs, and won’t show up here to answer questions like all the rest of us are.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis joined in, slamming Mr. Trump for not participating in the debate at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California.  

“Where’s Joe Biden? He’s completely missing in action from leadership. And you know who else is missing in action? Donald Trump is missing in action. He should be on this stage tonight,” Mr. DeSantis said. “He owes it to you to defend his record, where they added $7.8 trillion to the debt that set the stage for the inflation that we have.”

It was the second 2024 GOP presidential debate sans Mr. Trump. He skipped the first debate held last month in Milwaukee.  

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Both Mr. Christie and Mr. DeSantis also took to task Washington lawmakers for failing to find a way to fund the federal government, with a federal shutdown expected when the current fiscal year funding expires at midnight Saturday.

“If the government closes, it is to the blame of everyone in Washington, D.C., who has failed to do their job and play to the grandstand,” Mr. Christie said.

Mr. DeSantis said people in Washington are “shutting down the American dream with their reckless behavior.”

“They borrowed, they printed, they spent and now you’re paying more for everything,” he said.