Ahead of next week’s Iowa caucuses, the Republican field of candidates looked quite changed on Wednesday as former President Donald Trump skipped another debate on CNN to do a town hall aired by Fox News.
While Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley went at it one-on-one in a CNN debate from Des Moines, Iowa Wednesday, Trump delivered a solid appearance in the same city during a Fox News town hall where he revealed he has picked out a running mate. But his announcement was just a teaser as he would not disclose to Fox News hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum who that person would be.
The contrast between the two networks and the GOP presidential hopefuls they presented was noted by former Fox News host Megyn Kelly who admitted “there is just no comparison.”
“Switching b/t CNN and Fox and there is just no comparison,” the talk show and podcast host wrote on X.
“Trump on TV is totally compelling. He’s funny, he’s interesting & he was very ‘on’ tonight. You see the 2 & think: okay- policy, principle, points-what if?? Then you see DT & remember,” she added.
Switching b/t CNN and Fox and there is just no comparison. Trump on TV is totally compelling. He’s funny, he’s interesting & he was very “on” tonight. You see the 2 & think: okay- policy, principle, points-what if?? Then you see DT & remember.
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) January 11, 2024
During Trump’s town hall event, he divulged that if he clinches the Republican nomination for president, he has already figured out who his vice presidential pick will be for the campaign. But that was information he was not ready to share.
“Well, I can’t tell you that really,” the former president said. “I mean, I know who it’s going to be.”
When MacCallum asked if he would be open to “mending fences” and choosing one of the contenders running against him, Trump drew laughter from the audience when he quipped, “I’ve already started to like Christie better.”
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who seemed to make his entire campaign about attacking Trump, dropped out of the race on Wednesday.
“I have a lot of people that want to work with me,” he added. “I have people calling — just as I’m getting on the stage, I had a call from two of the very most important people in the military wanting to come work for me.”
“Everybody wants to come to work for us. We’re gonna have no trouble. We had great people [in his first term], we had a couple that were not great, stiffs, as I would call them, but that’s true with anybody,” he added.
Trump covered many issues of concern to voters during the town hall, answering questions posed to him by the moderators and members of the audience.
One of the highlights that drew much praise on social media was the former president’s response to the question of “retribution,” seeking revenge on his adversaries, detracters and critics if he is elected.
“Well, first of all, a lot of people would say that that’s not so bad,” Trump said. “Look what they did – Russia Russia Russia hoax, the FBI-Twitter hoax, the 51 intelligence agents hoax, all of these different hoaxes that they did. I mean, you know, a lot of people would say, that’s probably quite normal.”
Trump: Our ultimate retribution, is success. 😎❤️🇺🇸 #TrumpTownHall #Trump2024 pic.twitter.com/gkQDbUaY1N
— Jenna Fredo (@LynkLuv) January 11, 2024
“I’m not going to have time for retribution,” he added “We’re going to make this country so successful again, I’m not gonna have time for retribution.”
“Our ultimate retribution is success,” Trump said to applause.
On the issue of immigration, he promised “to have the largest deportation effort in the history of our country.”
President Trump in Iowa: “We have millions and millions of people here… Did you see in New York where they’re kicking the regular students out and putting migrants in their place? We are going to have the largest deportation effort in the history of our country.” pic.twitter.com/qaCSf4Np21
— MAGA War Room (@MAGAIncWarRoom) January 11, 2024
Trump nailed Democrats who continually attack him while also touting, “I’m the only president in 72 years… I didn’t have any wars.”
The Trump Town Hall features the only presidential candadite who will prevent World War 3.
pic.twitter.com/r10c0jjHCm— Charles R Downs (@TheCharlesDowns) January 11, 2024
