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Republicans Pour Cold Water on Trump Ahead of 2024 Announcement

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As buzz continues to build around Trump’s looming 2024 announcement some Republicans are already trying to burst his bubble.

Despite the obvious excitement surrounding Trump’s long-awaited presidential campaign announcement the Republican is already facing hurdles on the path to 2024.

Trump, who is already facing various legal challenges, will be effectively cut off from the Republican National Committee if he declares his candidacy committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel told The Hill.

Last year, the RNC admitted it was paying for legal fees “that relate to politically motivated legal proceedings waged against President Trump” and in recent months the committee has funded Trump’s defense against probes launched by Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. (D) and New York Attorney General Letitia James (D).

“We cannot pay legal bills for any candidate that’s announced. So these are bills that came from the Letitia James lawsuit that started while he was president,” McDaniel said. “It was voted on by our executive committee for our former president, that this was a politically motivated investigation and that’s what it’s been.”

“But we cannot do in kind contributions to any candidate right now. He’s the former president being attacked from every which way with lawsuits, and he’s certainly raised more under the RNC than we’ve spent on these bills,” she added.

Advisers in Trump’s inner circle have indicated the announcement could come as soon as November 14th but some conservatives say it shouldn’t come as any shock.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) said on Sunday that Trump’s upcoming announcement doesn’t surprise him, according to The Hill.

“Like, why should anybody be surprised,” Christie said, adding, “When something happens that you anticipated happening, it doesn’t make any difference.”

“He’s going to run. Everyone always knew he was going to run. He can’t miss the attention any more than he does, and he’s going to run,” the former governor added. “Now we’ll see what happens.”

However, reports began to swirl on Monday that Trump couls make his annoucenment during tonight’s rally in Ohio. Axios reporter Jonathan Swan was the first to report that Trump could move up the announcement date.

“Based calls/texts all morning, Trump/Vance rally in Ohio will be v closely watched by Rs. Speculation has reached a point of absurdity at this point but many Rs of varying degrees of closeness to Trump are anticipating accelerated announcement based on his recent private comments,” Swan tweeted.

A source close to the matter told The Washington Examiner that ultimately the decsion is up to Trump and nobody knows exactly when he will share the news.

“There’s a lot of back-and-forth right now, no one really knows if it’s going to happen tonight or if it’s going to happen in a week or so. Trump himself is the one who wants to do it ASAP. No one knows right now whether it’s happening tonight or not,” the source explained.

January 6th Panel Votes to Recommend DOJ Prosecute Trump

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Gage Skidmore Flickr

On Monday, the House Select Committee investigating the events surrounding the January 6th, 2021 Capitol riot voted to recommend the Department of Justice criminally prosecute former President Donald Trump.

The committee voted 9-0.

According to Fox News, the first referral recommended by the committee is for Trump’s obstruction an official proceeding of Congress. The committee will also refer Trump to DOJ for conspiracy to defraud the federal government, making a false statement and inciting, assisting, or aiding and comforting an insurrection.

In what is expected to be its final meeting on Monday, the House Select Committee to Investigate January 6 said it will formally ask the DOJ to pursue charges after a nearly 18-month probe into the former president’s involvement in the activities that lead to the Capitol breach on January 6, 2021.

The committee’s unprecedented criminal referral holds no official legal weight, and a final determination in whether to pursue the charges will be up to Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Justice Department.

At Monday’s meeting, the committee’s members, seven Democrats and two anti-Trump Republicans, each presented a portion of their findings against Trump before taking the vote to issue criminal referrals. 

The committee will also refer four Republican members of Congress to the House Committee on Ethics for defying the committee’s subpoenas. One of the Republicans who defied their subpoena was then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, (R-Calif.)

The committee also subpoenaed:

  • Jim Jordan, R-Ohio
  • Mo Brooks, R-Ala.
  • Scott Perry, R-Pa.
  • Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.

According to The Hill, It’s unclear if the Ethics panel will launch an investigation based on the select committee’s new recommendations. Unlike most other standing committees, membership on the Ethics panel is evenly divided between the parties. And the committee strives — at least rhetorically — to avoid the divisive partisan politicking that practically defines some of the other panels. 

Yet with just weeks left in the 117th Congress, there’s a small and closing window for the committee to launch any new probes while Democrats are still in the House majority. And it’s unlikely that a GOP-led Ethics Committee would take the remarkable step of investigating the role of sitting Republicans in an event as polarizing as the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. 

Congressional Candidate Sparks Outrage With Unhinged Anti-Trump Video

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President Donald J. Trump is presented with a 10th Combat Aviation Brigade challenge coin following an air assault and gun rain demonstration at Fort Drum, New York, on August 13. The demonstration was part of President Trump's visit to the 10th Mountain Division (LI) to sign the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019, which increases the Army's authorized active-duty end strength by 4,000 enabling us to field critical capabilities in support of the National Defense Strategy. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Thomas Scaggs) 180813-A-TZ475-010

A Republican congressional candidate and former U.S. Marine has triggered a firestorm after posting a bizarre video branding President Donald Trump “the Antichrist” and declaring that he “must be killed.”

William Upham, a write-in candidate for Florida’s 5th Congressional District, delivered the nearly seven-minute religious and political rant while wearing a Marine Corps uniform—even though the service says he was medically discharged more than a year ago.

Upham initially presented his campaign as an effort to restore bipartisanship, return power to working Americans and “fix our broken political system.”

Then the video took a dark turn.

“We are led by a president who is the enemy of God,” Upham said, according to Fox News.

After quoting Bible passages and invoking the oath he took as a Marine officer to defend the Constitution “against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” Upham leveled an extraordinary accusation against the commander in chief.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the president of the United States, Donald J. Trump, is the Antichrist,” Upham said. “He is a false messiah. And he is your enemy. And he must be killed.”

Upham claimed Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV and a previously posted AI-generated image depicting the president in Christ-like imagery helped shape his conclusion, according to the New York Post.

“He is nothing like Jesus Christ,” Upham said.

Later in the video, he urged Americans to consider whether they were “worshiping a false idol” before declaring: “President Trump is the Antichrist. And he will be killed and sent to hell. God will prevail against evil.”

Upham also said violence should never be used for “evil purposes such as vengeance or plunder,” an assertion sharply at odds with his earlier declaration about the president.

The Marine Corps swiftly disavowed the former officer.

“The Marine Corps is aware of the disturbing statements made by William Upham, who was medically discharged on May 30, 2025,” the service said in a statement posted to X. “The comments made by Upham are a direct violation of the oath he swore to uphold and are not in keeping with the service’s values.”

Upham served in the Marines from 2021 until 2025 and reached the rank of first lieutenant, according to Task & Purpose.

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao also condemned the candidate’s remarks.

“Unacceptable,” Cao wrote on X. “William Upham is no longer a Marine and does not represent our values or ethos.”

The Secret Service confirmed that it was aware of the video.

“The U.S. Secret Service is aware of the comments made by a congressional candidate in Florida, and we investigate anything that can be perceived as a threat toward one of our protectees,” a spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “Out of concern for operational security, we do not discuss matters of protective intelligence.”

The violent rhetoric is especially alarming after multiple assassination attempts against Trump and the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September 2025.

Despite the national attention generated by his video, Upham appears to be a fringe contender in the August 18 Republican primary. He is running as a write-in candidate against five-term incumbent Rep. John Rutherford, conservative radio personality Mark Kaye and Donald Muirheid, according to Ballotpedia.

No reputable public opinion poll located as of Thursday showed measurable support for Upham. One prediction-market tracker gave Rutherford a roughly 93% chance of winning the nomination, however it’s important to note that prediction-market odds are not the same as voter polling.

Rutherford also begins the race from a commanding position. The former Jacksonville sheriff won reelection in 2024 with more than 63% of the vote, carrying the heavily Republican district by approximately 26 percentage points.

Upham’s own campaign website describes him as a Marine, prosecutor and Republican running “for God and country.” It also promises voters: “No more insiders. No more extremism. No more excuses.”

After his explosive video, that anti-extremism pitch is now facing intense scrutiny.

Former Speaker Skewers Matt Gaetz During Podcast Interview

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Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

The claws came out…

It’s not a secret that former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is no fan of Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz after helping lead the charge to oust him from the Speaker’s office.

While the Florida Republican who filed a motion to vacate the chair in October 2023, which triggered a vote of the House on whether to remove McCarthy as speaker claims his actions were motivated by McCarthy’s mishandling of the office, the former Speaker discussed his own opinion on the shocking events.

McCarthy claims Gaetz wanted him to end a House Ethics Committee probe examining whether Gaetz had sexual relations with a minor.  In January, the left-leaning publication The Daily Beast reported that Gaetz privately told colleagues he was motivated by the ethics investigation.

Appearing on the PBD Podcast, McCarthy discussed the drama with host Patrick Bet-David.

The ex-speaker pointed to court filings unsealed last week in which witnesses testified that Gaetz was at a drug-fueled party that was attended by a 17-year-old.

“Everything I said has come to fruition,” McCarthy stated. “It’s unfortunate that one person would utilize something to stop what was coming after them and disrupt the entire Congress.”

“How is the relationship now?” Bet-David asked. “Because I know I saw you guys at the RNC where he walked up to you while you’re talking to somebody. ‘You wouldn’t be on the stage, you would be booed’ or something like that. Are you guys better know or–

“No!” McCarthy said. “I don’t hang around with pedophiles, I’m sorry.”

Watch:

The Department of Justice investigated Gaetz, but ultimately declined to prosecute.

Musk Donates $5 Million To Trump Super PAC

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Image via Pixabay free images

Tech billionaire Elon Musk donated $5 million to the main super PAC affiliated with President Trump in late June despite an ongoing public feud, according to recent campaign finance filings. 

Musk made the donation to MAGA Inc. on June 27 — the same day he also donated $5 million each to the Senate Leadership Fund and Congressional Leadership Fund, the main super PACs dedicated to boosting Senate and House Republicans. 

The donations appear to have come during a lull in the Tesla CEO’s spat with Trump.  

After spending at least $250 million to boost Trump’s 2024 White House campaign, Musk joined the administration as head of the Department of Government Efficiency. Following a controversial four-month stint, the tech mogul announced his plans to step away in late May. 

The two men appeared to hint at peace in mid-June, with Trump saying he had “no hard feelings” and Musk suggesting he “went too far.” 

However, just one day after his donations to the president and congressional Republicans in late June, Musk was once again lambasting Trump’s tax and spending bill and reigniting the feud. 

The tech billionaire also followed through on threats to launch a new third political party called the “America Party,” though he has done little since to establish it.

Last month, President Trump also famously threatened to deport the South African billionaire by using DOGE.

“We’ll have to take a look,” Trump said when asked about the deportation. “We might have to put DOGE on Elon. You know what DOGE is? DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon! Wouldn’t that be terrible?”

Musk’s most recent donation comes months after he said that he will dial back his spending on future political campaigns.

Asked about his plans for political contributions at Bloomberg’s Qatar Economic Forum, Musk said over video that he’s “going to do a lot less in the future.” Musk spent nearly $240 million through his political action committee, America PAC, helping Trump and Republicans in the 2024 election cycle. His comments on Tuesday, however, indicate that he won’t be as aggressive in pushing Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections.

“I think I’ve done enough,” Musk said, adding, “If I see a reason to do political spending in the future, I will do it. I do not currently see a reason.”

Watch:

Marjorie Taylor Greene Unleashes Brutal Trump Insult as GOP Faces Midterm Showdown

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Marjorie Taylor Greene -Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, via Wikimedia Commons

The former MAGA firebrand is taking another swing at President Donald Trump, warning that his influence could spell disaster for Republican candidates just days before voters head to the polls.

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is escalating her bitter feud with President Donald Trump, delivering a blistering insult that could deepen divisions within the Republican Party just days before the November midterm elections.

Once among Trump’s most outspoken allies, Greene now claims the president has become a political liability for the very Republicans he is campaigning to elect.

“Trump has become a curse to Republican candidates and it will be worse in ’28,” Greene wrote on X.

The extraordinary attack came after Trump suggested during a Georgia campaign rally that his willingness to help the state could depend on his relationship with its elected representatives.

Greene accused the president of putting personal grievances ahead of the needs of Georgia residents, marking another dramatic escalation in their increasingly hostile relationship.

Greene Blasts Trump Over Georgia Rally Remarks

The latest confrontation began after Trump appeared at a Saturday rally in Perry, Georgia, to boost Republican candidates ahead of the November 3 elections.

During his remarks, Trump emphasized the importance of electing lawmakers who maintain a strong working relationship with the White House.

The president praised Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.), the Republican Senate nominee challenging Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, and suggested Collins would have no trouble reaching him when Georgia needed assistance.

“Collins could call me anytime he wants,” Trump told supporters.

But Trump quickly shifted gears, mocking Ossoff with a reference to the television character Pee-wee Herman and suggesting he would be less receptive to requests from political opponents.

“But he needs money for Georgia. I don’t give a damn what he wants. I’m not in,” Trump said while describing how he might respond to a request from someone he disliked.

Greene seized on those remarks, accusing Trump of threatening to withhold assistance from Georgia over personal political differences.

“He has no idea how bad he is doing in GA,” Greene wrote.

She went on to argue that Trump’s comments demonstrated a lack of concern for ordinary Georgians before delivering her stinging assessment of his political influence.

Her criticism reflects her interpretation of Trump’s remarks. The president did not announce a formal policy to withhold federal funding from Georgia.

From MAGA Loyalist to Fierce Trump Critic

Greene’s latest broadside is particularly striking given her history as one of Trump’s most aggressive defenders on Capitol Hill.

The former Georgia congresswoman built her political reputation championing Trump’s America First agenda, attacking his Democratic opponents and defending him through some of his most contentious political battles.

But their alliance unraveled in late 2025.

Trump withdrew his endorsement of Greene in November after the two clashed over several issues, including the administration’s handling of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Greene also accused the president of failing to devote enough attention to the rising cost of living, an issue that has become increasingly important to voters ahead of the midterms.

Their feud intensified until Greene resigned from Congress in January 2026.

By April, she was openly questioning whether the president still represented the political movement she had spent years defending.

“This is not the same man that we supported,” Greene said at the time.

Trump has hardly remained silent.

During an October 16 rally in Dalton, Georgia, the president mocked his former ally by calling her “Marjorie Taylor Brown” and referring to her as a “whack job.”

He also celebrated Republican Clay Fuller’s victory in the race to succeed Greene in Congress, underscoring just how far their once-close political relationship has deteriorated.

Greene Warns Republicans Could Pay the Price

Greene’s latest attack comes as Republicans fight to preserve their congressional majorities in a challenging political environment.

With Election Day approaching, Trump has been traveling across the country to rally supporters and boost Republican candidates in competitive races.

But Greene argues that the president’s involvement could ultimately hurt the party rather than help it.

Her warning extends beyond November’s elections, suggesting that Republicans could face even greater difficulties during the 2028 presidential race.

Greene has repeatedly criticized the administration’s handling of the war with Iran, the Epstein files and economic concerns, arguing that Republicans have strayed from the promises that helped return Trump to the White House.

On Monday, she issued another warning, predicting that voters would deliver a message to Republicans on November 3.

“There is a powerful lesson that voters are going to send to Republicans on Nov 3rd, but I’m not confident they will learn the lesson,” Greene wrote.

Her comments reflect a growing personal dispute with Trump, although they do not necessarily represent the views of the broader Republican electorate.

Trump Pushes Forward as Election Day Nears

Despite Greene’s criticism, Trump remains deeply involved in the Republican Party’s final midterm push.

The president has campaigned for candidates across several battleground states, including Georgia, where Collins is attempting to unseat Ossoff in one of the nation’s closely watched Senate contests.

Trump has also emphasized his ability to deliver political support and federal attention to states represented by Republican allies.

For Greene, however, the president’s latest Georgia remarks were another sign that personal loyalty has become too important in his political calculations.

The former congresswoman’s attack adds a new layer of drama to an already tense election season, with Republicans attempting to maintain party unity as Democrats seek to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction over economic conditions and the administration’s policies.

Whether Greene’s criticism resonates with Republican voters remains uncertain.

But one thing is clear: The political alliance that once made Greene one of Trump’s loudest defenders has become one of the Republican Party’s most bitter public feuds.

Trump Shares Altered Photo Targeting Candace Owens, Escalating Feud

By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54581054338/, Public Domain,

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has intensified his ongoing feud with conservative commentator Candace Owens by sharing a doctored TIME magazine-style cover portraying her as “Vile Person of the Year,” along with fresh personal insults.

The image, posted on Trump’s social media platform, depicted Owens on a mocked-up TIME cover — a format often used for satire or political messaging — and labeled her with the inflammatory title. Trump also referred to Owens as “low IQ” in accompanying remarks.

As Mediaite reports:

“Candace Owens’ stock, which was never very high, has fallen a long way,” wrote Trump. “Her attack on the First Lady of France is despicable. I believe, in this case, without verification, she is an extremely Low IQ individual!”

Screenshot via @realDonaldTrump on Truth Social

The attached image was clearly meant to show Owens in an unflattering light, with raised exposure and a black-and-white filter. Along with the title “Vile Person of the Year,” other text on the cover reads, “Candace Owens lies, lies, lies,” “uses rich white men,” “0% fact check ratio on all credible fact checking sites,” and “protects sex offenders!”

On April 9, Trump posted on Truth Social:

I know why Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones have all been fighting me for years, especially by the fact that they think it is wonderful for Iran, the Number One State Sponsor of Terror, to have a Nuclear Weapon — Because they have one thing in common, Low IQs. They’re stupid people, they know it, their families know it, and everyone else knows it, too!

Owens reacted on X with a cutting remark, writing, “It may be time to put Grandpa up in a home.”

The post drew swift attention across political and media circles, with reactions ranging from criticism of the rhetoric to concerns about political distractions as major issues dominate the lead-up to the midterm election.

READ NEXT: Ousted US Official Still Receiving Shocking Military Benefits

Amanda Head: Liberal WaPo Singles Out Pennsylvania Democrat Candidate

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Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman is facing off against Trump-endorsed Republican Mehmet Oz for retiring Senator Pat Toomey’s seat has relied on multiple excuses pertaining to his poor health and a stroke he suffered earlier this year to avoid debating his opponent.

Fetterman’s campaign tactics are akin to President Biden’s basement method in 2020 and now even liberal-leaning publications like the Washington Post are taking notice and calling out the Senate hopeful’s behavior.

Watch Amanda break down the problem HERE.

Trump Openly Backs Candidate In Tennessee Special Election

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Former President Trump is urging Tennessee voters to support Republican Matt Van Epps in Tuesday’s special election to fill the state’s vacant 7th Congressional District seat, claiming—without evidence—that Democratic nominee Aftyn Behn “openly disdains Country music.”

“I am asking all America First Patriots in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, who haven’t voted yet, to please GET OUT AND VOTE on Election Day, Tuesday, December 2nd, for a phenomenal Candidate, Matt Van Epps,” Trump wrote Sunday on Truth Social.

Trump further escalated his criticism of Behn in the post, alleging: “Matt is fighting against a woman who hates Christianity, will take away your guns, wants Open Borders, Transgender for everybody, men in women’s sports, and openly disdains Country music. She said all of these things precisely, and without question — IT’S ON TAPE!”

Van Epps, previously the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, is running against Behn, a state representative, to succeed former Rep. Mark Green (R). Green resigned earlier this year to pursue a private-sector opportunity, triggering the special election.

Background on the Controversy

Republicans have seized on remarks Behn made in a 2020 episode of the podcast Grits, where she said:
“I’ve been heavily involved in the Nashville mayoral race because I hate this city, I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music. I hate all the things that make Nashville apparently an ‘it city’ to the rest of the country.”

Behn has since clarified that the comments were made in frustration and do not reflect her views as an elected official. In a video released last month, she explained:

“Now, I always want Nashville to be better, right? I want Nashville to be a place where working people can thrive, right? But sure, I get mad at the bachelorette [parties] sometimes, I get mad at the pedal taverns, right? Talking to someone who has cried no less than 10 times in the Country Music Hall of Fame.”

She added in a corresponding post: “NO, I DO NOT HATE THE CITY I REPRESENT,” punctuating the statement with three laughing emojis.

Behn Campaign Response

Behn’s campaign manager, Kate Briefs, responded sharply to Trump’s attack, saying the former president is lying “because he is panicking about his tanking approval numbers as Tennessee voters hold him accountable for his failed economic policies that are raising their costs, while lowering taxes for their billionaire donors.”

Context: Why This Special Election Has Drawn Attention

Tennessee’s 7th District is traditionally a reliably Republican seat, and Van Epps enters the race with a structural advantage. Still, Democrats see the contest as an opportunity to demonstrate voter enthusiasm heading into the 2026 midterms—particularly if they can outperform expectations in a deep-red district.

Special elections in off-years often serve as indicators of base energy for both parties. National Democrats have been encouraged by recent overperformances in similar contests across the country and hope Behn can replicate that trend.

Polling Suggests a Competitive Race

At least one survey—conducted last week by Emerson College Polling and The Hill—suggests the race may be closer than expected. The poll showed Behn and Van Epps running neck and neck, signaling that Democratic enthusiasm and Trump’s polarizing involvement may be tightening the contest.

Is Vivek Ramaswamy The GOP’s New Trump ‘Lite’?

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Vivek Ramaswamy speaking with attendees at the 2022 AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

ANALYSIS- Who is this skinny guy with the funny-sounding name? (That was his opening line at the debate). Vivek Ramaswamy wasn’t supposed to be at the center of the first Republican presidential candidate debate in Milwaukee.

Ron DeSantis was supposed to be the viable GOP alternative to Donald Trump. A two-term governor of the third most populous state in the union, DeSantis, a Navy veteran who served in Iraq, is as conservative as they come.

And he has a proven track record of fighting the left in Florida – and winning.

But despite his solid bona fides and resume, DeSantis has a personality problem. He just doesn’t exude charm or confidence, and that’s hurting him – a lot.

Meanwhile, Ramaswamy the 38-year-old Trump-defending, Cincinnati-born, biotech billionaire (worth at least $950 million), son of Pakistani immigrants, kind of stole the show at the debate.

According to former FBI agent and body language expert, Joe Navarro: “[Ramaswamy] consistently looked the most comfortable on stage.”

He was also the most openly and unabashedly pro-Trump. He was the first candidate to raise their hand when asked who would support the former President as the party nominee even if he is convicted on felony charges that he’s facing.

He has also promised to pardon Trump if elected. But he went even farther than that.

“President Trump, I believe, was the best president of the 21st century,” Ramaswamy said in a clip from the debate Trump posted on Truth Social.

And Trump loved it.

“This answer gave Vivek Ramaswamy a big WIN in the debate because of a thing called TRUTH. Thank you, Vivek!”

The ever-smiling political newbie Ramaswamy, who seemed to be having a blast on stage, was also the target of many of his GOP rivals.

As TIME reported:

Maybe it was Ramaswamy’s consistent and confounding defense of All Things Trump. Maybe it was his smooth talk and culture-war acumen. Maybe it was just the fact that Ramaswamy frankly does not care how things were done before and might just have enough self-made money to go the distance.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie snarled that he had “had enough already tonight of a guy who sounds like ChatGPT,” an A.I. battery. He then dismissed Ramaswamy as someone on the same level as a political figure universally loathed in the GOP. “The last person in one of these debates… who stood in the middle of the stage and said, ‘What is a skinny guy with an odd last name doing up here?’ was Barack Obama. And I am afraid we are dealing with the same type of amateur standing on the stage tonight,” Christie said.

But the quick witted Ramaswamy’s riposte to Christie was a zinger: “Give me a hug like you did to Obama, and you’ll help elect me just like you did to Obama. Give me the damn hug, brother.”

Ramaswamy was referring to the 2012 incident when Christie was accused of “hugging” Obama during his visit in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy which hit days before the 2012 presidential election.

It’s a claim that Christie has been denying since then, saying: “I didn’t hug him.”

Photos at the time seem to back up Christie, but the zinger still worked.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN under Trump, and ex-South Carolina governor, Nikki Haley, who is of Indian descent, hit Ramaswamy too: “You have no foreign policy experience, and it shows.”

I would agree with that assessment and believe he has made a few deeply flawed important national security statements – including on Ukraine and Israel.

But he is super smart and can learn quickly.

Then Vice President Mike Pence took a Christie-like jab at Ramaswamy, attacking the very same quality that originally helped raise Trump in the GOP base – that he is not a politician.

“Now it’s not the time for on-the-job training,” retorted Pence. “We don’t need to bring in a rookie. We don’t need to bring in people with no experience.”

AS TIME noted: “Attacks during debates are the norm but this was different. Ramaswamy’s competitors really don’t like him. Not even a little.”

However, there is one important GOP rival who seems to like Ramaswamy – Donald Trump. And that could be all that matters.

Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of Great America News Desk.