GOP debate highlights: Ahead of Iowa caucus, DeSantis and Haley make their pitch to voters
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis competed in a one-on-one GOP primary debate on Wednesday, just days before the critical Iowa caucuses.
The event was one of the fiercest debates of the 2024 presidential campaign, with the Republican rivals attacking each other over their policy records and promises on the campaign trail. The candidates dueled over the issues that matter to Americans across the country – including the economy, the border, education and more.
Former President Donald Trump once again skipped the GOP debate, opting for his own town hall.
Catch up with the USA TODAY Network's live coverage of the fifth Republican primary debate.
Who won the Republican debate? In Haley vs DeSantis, neither GOP candidate pulled punches
What do Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley admire about each other?
As the two-hour debate neared its end, the candidates shifted to a more positive tone: They were asked by the moderators to highlight what they admire about one another.
Ron DeSantis had much to say about his opponent, complimenting her work as ambassador to the United Nations and achievements as the governor of South Carolina.
Nikki Haley, meanwhile, kept her praise brief.
“I think he’s been a good governor,” Haley said.
– Savannah Kuchar
Immunity for ordering the assassination of a political rival? “That’s ridiculous.”
One of the only topics that Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley agreed on Wednesday night: Ordering the assassination of a political opponent is a prosecutable offense.
Donald Trump’s legal team argued in court this week that a president would be immune from criminal prosecution for ordering a hit on a political rival. Instead, impeachment in the House and conviction in the Senate are the appropriate processes to hold a president accountable, one of Trump’s attorneys said.
“That’s ridiculous. That’s absolutely ridiculous. I mean, we need to use some common sense here. You can’t go and kill a political rival and then claim, you know, immunity from a president,” Haley said.
DeSantis said he wasn’t sure what the limits of the law are, but he predicted courts would rule against Trump's argument.
“It's not going to be an issue with me because I'm always gonna follow the Constitution,” he said. “We’re going to uphold the best traditions of the office, and I’m going to be a president you can be proud of.”
– Francesca Chambers
Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis say Donald Trump should be on debate stage to address abortion rights
When asked about Donald Trump's position on abortion rights, Nikki Haley called on the former president to take the debate stage to defend his views.
“You'd have to ask him. That's why he should be on this debate stage,” she said. “Don't ask me what President Trump thinks.”
DeSantis, on the other hand, alleged Trump has “given a gift to the left," accusing him of flip-flopping on abortion access.
“Donald Trump should be on this stage. He owes it to you here in Iowa to explain this change he's had,” DeSantis said.
– Sudiksha Kochi
Nikki Haley slaps at Ron DeSantis over campaign infighting
Nikki Haley argued that the DeSantis campaign’s rapid spending calls the Florida governor’s leadership skills into question.
DeSantis’ campaign has been a “revolving door” of political operatives, some of them “going to blows with each other,” she said, and has made bad choices about how to spend donor dollars, including on private jets.
“I flew commercial. I stayed at Residence Inns,” she said. “If you can’t handle the financial parts of a campaign, how’s he going to handle the economy when it comes to the White House.”
Haley insisted that DeSantis is “invisible” in the early states of New Hampshire and South Carolina and has gone down in the polls in Iowa: “Why should we think you can manage or do anything in this country?”
DeSantis countered that voters do not care about process issues like the ones that Haley brought up and said they are not as important as topics such as education.
“What is more important here?” he shouted at her at one point in the exchange.
Haley quipped in response: “I think I hit a nerve.”
– Francesca Chambers
What is school choice?
Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley discussed school choice during the GOP debate on Wednesday, programs that can impact parents and students across the country.
But what does school choice mean? In a growing number of states, so-called school vouchers, paid for with tax dollars, cover private school tuition or pay for services like tutoring and homeschooling.
– Marina Pitofsky
Nikki Haley relies on new website accusing Ron DeSantis of lying
Nikki Haley repeatedly mentioned her campaign’s new attack site, “DeSantisLies.com,” while standing opposite Ron DeSantis Wednesday.
The website, dedicated to responding to claims made by her closest opponent, was one of the former governor’s favorite references in several of her Iowa debate responses.
"It's a shame that we had to put up DeSantisLies.com," Haley said about halfway through the debate, after mentioning the site almost a dozen times.
"He's spent more time trying to lie about me than he is about telling the truth about himself," she added
– Savannah Kuchar
Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley spar over education and school choice
Nikki Haley during the debate said her education priorities for students across the country involve moving federal programs from Washington to the state level and giving parents greater authority when it comes to their child's education.
“No parent should ever wonder what's being said or taught to their child in the classroom,” said Haley. “That's why we'll have all of the curriculums online for every parent to see.”
But DeSantis quickly pushed back on her comments, claiming that while she is campaigning on school choice options, she never achieved that as governor.
– Sudiksha Kochi
How long is the Republican debate?
The debate between Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley kicked off at 9 p.m. ET and is set to wrap up at 11 p.m. ET.
– Marina Pitofsky
Ron DeSantis hits Nikki Haley where it hurts: Her foreign policy experience
Ron DeSantis on Wednesday went after one of Nikki Haley’s strongest selling points: Her experience at the United Nations.
The Florida governor called Haley a “carbon copy” of Joe Biden’s foreign policy over her support for Ukraine aid.
Haley doesn’t have a plan to end the war, DeSantis said. He argued the United States’ priority should be securing the southern border and said she would continue the Biden administration’s policy of paying Ukrainian government workers’ pensions and salaries.
“This is the U.N. way of thinking, that we’re somehow globalists, and we have unlimited resources,” he said.
DeSantis added: “You can take the ambassador out of the United Nations, but you can't take the United Nations out of the ambassador.”
Haley accused DeSantis of lying about her positions, again, and said that while she does support providing military aid to Ukraine, she does not back pension-paying.
— Francesca Chambers
Ron DeSantis criticizes Nikki Haley and ‘pale pastels’
Ron DeSantis criticized Nikki Haley for her immigration proposals on Wednesday, urging Iowa voters not to trust her on the critical issue.
“That's like having the fox guarding the hen house,” DeSantis said.
He referred to remarks that Haley made at a 2015 event while she was South Carolina governor, saying Americans don’t need to talk about individuals who come to the U.S. illegally as “criminals.”
“She's weak on immigration,” DeSantis said. “She's bankrolled by people who want to open borders, and she said there shouldn't be a limit on immigration. You should work with corporate CEOs. Governor, that is pale pastels.”
The term 'pale pastels' is a reference to a 1976 speech from former President Ronald Reagan, when he said the Republican Party platform is different from their rivals as “a banner of bold, unmistakable colors with no pale pastels.”– Sudiksha Kochi
Donald Trump says he 'knows' who he wants for his vice president pick
And so the tease begins.
Donald Trump told his town hall he "knows" who he wants for a running mate, but doesn't want to discuss it right now.
Political observers have questioned who the former president could pick if he wins the Republican nomination, after he and former Vice President Mike Pence split following the violent Capitol riot on Jan. 6 2021.
– David Jackson
Nikki Haley calls for Donald Trump to join debate
In one of her most direct addresses about the absent frontrunner, Nikki Haley said Donald Trump should be on the stage to answer questions and address voters.
“He’s the one that I’m running against. He’s the one that I wish would be here. He needs to be defending his record,” Haley said.
Trump also did not join the candidates for any of the four previous GOP presidential debates.
– Savannah Kuchar
Donald Trump again says he wants to be a dictator (for one day)
Trump on Wednesday repeated his claim that he wants to be a dictator - but only for one day.
The former president said he would use that day to stop illegal border crossings and expand energy production - "after that, I'm not going to be a dictator."
Biden and other opponents say people who become dictators ... stay dictators.
– David Jackson
Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley hurl insults at each other at start of debate
Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley didn’t hold back on criticizing each other at the beginning of Wednesday’s CNN debate in Iowa.
When asked why voters should choose DeSantis as the alternative to Donald Trump, he touted his record as Florida governor and alleged that Haley just tells voters what she thinks they want to hear.
“This is somebody that wrote in her book that Hillary Clinton inspired her to run for office. I remember Hillary denigrating people on the Republican side. It is deplorable. We don't need a candidate to look down on Middle America,” he said.
In response, Haley criticized DeSantis for lying about a slate of issues, touting a new website: DesantisLies.com.”
– Sudiksha Kochi
Chris Christie's exit surprises Iowa debategoers
Iowa Republicans were abuzz ahead of Wednesday evening's debate about Chris Christie's announcement that he was quitting the race.
Christie did not compete in Iowa and had just 4% support there in the latest Des Moines Register poll of likely GOP caucusgoers. But voters leaning toward Nikki Haley said they were optimistic that his exit from the race could help her in New Hampshire, where a recent CNN survey put her in striking distance of former President Donald Trump.
And while he "didn't have much of a chance" at winning Iowa, Drake University freshman Aiden Driscoll said, Christie did play an important role in the race. "He was more willing to speak his mind to the other candidates," said Driscoll, an undecided voter who's planning to caucus in Iowa.
– Francesca Chambers
Donald Trump says he's 'not worried' about Nikki Haley getting Chris Christie's vote
Donald Trump opened his competing town hall by taking a question about Chris Christie's withdrawal from the 2024 race, downplaying concerns that many of his votes could go to anti-Trump challenger Nikki Haley in New Hampshire.
Trump noted Christie's criticism of Haley and added that most of her support in New Hampshire comes from independents and Democrats who can vote in that primary.
"I'm not exactly worried about it," he said.
– David Jackson
How to watch the Republican debate tonight
The fifth GOP presidential primary debate will air live on CNN on Jan. 10 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Viewers can also watch the broadcast on CNN International and CNN en Espa?ol, or stream it on Max (formerly HBO Max).
TV subscribers can also watch via CNN.com and the CNN mobile apps. It was also be available the next day On Demand via CNN.com, CNN apps as well as Cable Operator Platforms.
– Anthony Robledo
CNN debate moderators: Jake Tapper and Dana Bash
CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate the broadcast on Jan. 10. The network will host another GOP debate in New Hampshire on Sunday, Jan. 21, two days before the New Hampshire primary.
– Haadiza Ogwude and Anthony Robledo
What to expect from Ron DeSantis in tonight's Republican debate
The Florida governor will need to have a strong showing while sharing tonight’s Iowa stage with Nikki Haley, whose campaign has seen a recent rise in favorability among early primary voters.
Unlike previous GOP presidential debates with a slate of candidates, DeSantis will face Haley one-on-one in Des Moines. He’ll need a strong performance in the face of her rising momentum and his lagging numbers.
Whether by touting his conservative record in the Sunshine State or continuing his attacks on Haley as an “establishment candidate,” DeSantis will have the opportunity to make gains with Iowa voters days out from the state’s first-in-the-nation caucuses.
– Savannah Kuchar
Protests outside of debate sparse; chants for Palestine
Fewer than a dozen protestors gathered just outside the fifth Republican presidential debate, with the goal to raise awareness of the Israel-Hamas War, show support for Palestine and push for a ceasefire in Gaza. The protestors also were outside the debate to call upon the Republican Party to care about other issues including climate change.
Bundled up in winter jackets, they came with signs, including one that read: "Resistance against occupation is a human right" and "Free all Palestine." One demonstrator led a call and response, shouting "Free Palestine," while another, dressed in a "Handmaid's Tale"-like red cape, beat a large drum and chanted "Tax the rich."
Des Moines resident Carolyn Uhlenhake-Walker, who was among the protestors in the small group, said it's difficult to say how Gaza would be governed or rebuilt after the start of the permanent ceasefire she and other protestors hoped for. Uhlenhake-Walker hoped for a two-state solution, but the most immediate goal was that "we've got to have a ceasefire immediately," and humanitarian aid.
Mary Caponi, another Des Moines resident, said she has one message for the two candidates on the debate stage: "Take a different path than (President) Joe Biden." "I would support anyone that supports the rights of Palestinians," she said.
No other protestors or supporters of the candidates were seen outside of Drake University's Sheslow Auditorium before the debate.
– F. Amanda Tugade and Phillip Sitter
What to expect from Nikki Haley in tonight's Republican debate
Donald Trump isn't participating in the debate, but that doesn’t mean his name won’t come up Wednesday. Both Haley and DeSantis are likely to take jabs at the ex-president in an effort to knock the frontrunner down a few pegs in the eyes of voters.
She'll also likely cast herself as the strongest candidate to take on President Joe Biden, emphasize her foreign policy chops and backtrack on her recent comments about the Civil War.
For Haley, the debate will likely center around an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset, Matthew Bartlett, a GOP strategist not affiliated with a campaign, told USA TODAY.
– Karissa Waddick
Why isn't Trump debating? GOP frontrunner opts for town hall
Reminder: The former president won't be at tonight's CNN debate. He also skipped four previous Republican debates, and on Wednesday will hold a competing event: An Iowa town hall televised by Fox News.
Trump is campaigning in Iowa in between courthouse events, including an appeals court hearing Tuesday on his longshot claim of presidential immunity from prosecution and final arguments Thursday in his bank fraud trial.
The former president warmed up for the events with a variety of Truth Social posts, including some criticizing Fox for reporting on a CNN poll showing a close race with Haley in New Hampshire.
– David Jackson
Is Vivek Ramaswamy still in the race for president?
Yes. Vivek Ramaswamy has made it clear on X, formerly Twitter, that he intended to “shock the system” in January with the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary.
After former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie dropped out of the 2024 race Wednesday, Ramaswamy predicted on X that Ron DeSantis would join Nikki Haley’s ticket as vice president.
Though Ramaswamy is still active on the campaign trail, he is still lagging in the polls. He has also pulled TV ads out of Iowa and New Hamsphire.
– Sudiksha Kochi
What time is the CNN debate tonight?
The debate will air at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Wednesday.
– Anthony Robledo
Follow along as we fact-check tonight's GOP debate
Was that a fair point or a misuse of data? An accurate anecdote or a misleading description?
Follow along with the USA TODAY Fact Check Team as we dig into claims from the candidates in tonight’s Republican primary debate. We'll dig through the data, documents and transcripts to sort fact from fiction.
GOP debate live fact check: Separating fact from fiction on Republican candidates' claims
Nikki Haley’s poll numbers in New Hampshire rise as she tries to cut into Donald Trump’s support
Though Donald Trump is leading the Republican field in national and state polls, former South Carolina Gov Nikki Haley is gaining momentum and slowly catching up to the former president.
A CNN and University of New Hampshire poll conducted between Jan. 4 and Jan. 8 found that 39% of likely Republican New Hamsphire primary voters would back Trump while 32% would back Haley.
Haley’s support has increased dramatically since July last year, when only 5% of likely New Hampshire Republican voters supported her, according to the poll.
A USA TODAY/Boston Globe/Suffolk University poll conducted between Jan. 3 and Jan. 7 also found that she has gained seven percentage points against Trump in New Hampshire since the last poll in October.
However, she still has a long way to go in order to win the Republican nomination. A RealClearPolitics polling average shows she has 11.4% of support while Trump has 62.1%.
– Sudiksha Kochi
Where is the GOP debate tonight?
The fifth GOP debate will be held at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Voters in Iowa are gearing up for the Iowa Caucuses later this month, a crucial first hurdle in any presidential election. In 2024, the nation will be watching to see if Iowa voters lend their support to any of Donald Trump’s Republican challengers.
– Haadiza Ogwude and Anthony Robledo
Chris Christie campaign comes to an end
Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis have one less rival to worry about: Just hours before their debate, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced he is pulling out of the race.
Christie, who based most of his campaign in New Hampshire and spent most of his time attacking Trump, did not endorse any of the other remaining candidates.
Many political analysts said Christie's withdrawal helps Haley, who is moving up against Trump in several New Hampshire polls.
– David Jackson
What did Chris Christie say about Nikki Haley?
Just before he took the stage in New Hampshire to announce his exit from the 2024 presidential race, Chris Christie was apparently caught criticizing Nikki Haley backstage on a hot mic.
“She’s going to get smoked,” Christie said. “She’s not up to this.”
Haley’s campaign has seen a recent surge in momentum and is expected to get a further boost from Christie’s exit. The former New Jersey governor took time in his departure speech for some last-minute swipes at his former GOP competitors, including a reference to Haley’s comments on the Civil War last month.
“Benjamin Franklin's words were never more relevant in America than they are right now. The last time they were that relevant was the Civil War — which we know was caused by slavery," Christie said during his speech.
– Savannah Kuchar
Who is debating tonight?
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will be the only candidates at Wednesday's presidential primary debate, according to CNN.
The GOP runner-ups qualified before the window closed on Jan. 2 along with Trump. The network hosted hour-long townhalls for DeSantis and Haley in Iowa with DeSantis on Thursday.
– Anthony Robledo
How does the Iowa caucus work?
The debate on Wednesday marks the last chance Haley and DeSantis have to confront each other on stage before the Iowa caucuses.
But how do the Iowa caucuses work? There are roughly 1,670 precincts across the state where Republicans will gather in designated community rooms, church basements and school cafeterias. After caucusgoers are checked into a precinct’s caucus, a chair will invite someone to speak on behalf of each of the presidential candidates in a final attempt to earn support.
Once everyone has spoken, ballots are handed out. Learn more about Iowa's caucus system here.
– Brianne Pfannenstiel
Where do the Republican candidates stand on abortion?
Abortion rights are expected to be a central issue in the 2024 race for the White House.
Nikki Haley has often argued that leaders need to find consensus on the issue of abortion, including agreeing to not jail women who have the procedure. A self-described “pro-life” candidate, Haley said Republicans need to be honest about a national ban, which would require 60 votes in the Senate.
Ron DeSantis has touted his record on the issue as Florida governor, having signed a statewide six-week ban into law earlier this year.
– Savannah Kuchar
Republican primary polls ahead of GOP debate
Donald Trump has for months led the Republican primary field. According to a Real Clear Politics average of national Republican polls, Trump currently garners 62.1% support, compared to Haley’s 11.4%.
DeSantis follows Haley, with 11%, according to the average.
– Marina Pitofsky
Will the economy take center stage?
The Republican candidates onstage in Des Moines will likely spend swaths of the debate talking about jobs, inflation and other economic issues impacting Americans' wallets.
You can also expect a lot of attacks on Joe Biden on these issues, many of which will extend until the general election in November.
– David Jackson
When is the Iowa caucus? What about the New Hampshire primary?
The Iowa caucuses are scheduled for Monday, Jan. 15. The New Hampshire primary is set for Jan. 23.
But don’t expect results right away. The nation may have to wait hours, or even days, for the final tallies from the crucial early voting states, which have the power to redirect presidential elections.
– Marina Pitofsky
When is the Republican convention?
Tonight's debate isn't part of the Republican convention, where an official GOP nominee will be chosen for the 2024 presidential election.
The Republican convention is set for July 2024 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wisconsin is expected to be a major swing state heading into the race for the White House.
? Marina Pitofsky
What were the qualifications for the debate?
To qualify for the Iowa GOP debate, candidates had to receive at least 10% in three different national and/or Iowa polls of primary voters or Republican caucus attendees. The network required one of those polls to be an approved CNN poll of likely Republican caucus-goers.
– Anthony Robledo
Ukraine war a pressure point for the GOP field
The Ukraine war could prove to be fertile ground for the group of presidential hopefuls to differentiate themselves.
Support for U.S. military assistance to Ukraine is flagging inside the GOP electorate with Kyiv’s counteroffensive against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s army making slow progress. Still, any suggestion that Ukraine is at fault for Russia’s violation of its sovereignty is likely to drive away establishment Republican voters.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ description of the conflict as a “territorial dispute” helped fuel his decline, even though he later backtracked the comment and called Putin a “war criminal.” Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley is among the candidates who say that stopping Putin is vital to U.S. national security and helps to deter Chinese aggression toward Taiwan.
– Francesca Chambers
Will Chris Christie, Vivek Ramaswamy be in the Republican debate?
If you’re looking to hear from Chris Christie and Vivek Ramaswamy, they won’t be on the debate stage on Wednesday.
In order to make the debate, hosted by CNN, candidates had to receive at least 10% in three different national and/or Iowa polls of primary voters or Republican caucus attendees. The network required one of those polls to be an approved CNN poll of likely Republican caucus-goers.
Neither Christie nor Ramaswamy qualified for the debate stage, and Christie dropped out of the 2024 race just hours before the debate.
– Anthony Robledo and Marina Pitofsky
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Republican debate replay: Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis compete in Iowa
