Five Republican presidential candidates are set to face off in Miami, Florida, during the third Republican presidential primary debate.
The Republican National Committee announced that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott all qualified for the third debate, a smaller crowd from the previous two events.
Former President Donald Trump is skipping the debate, citing his major lead in state and national polls. The former president has also said he wouldn’t sign the Republican “Beat Biden” pledge to support a GOP nominee, even if it isn’t him.
Keep up with USA TODAY’s live coverage of the third Republican primary debate here.
How long is the Republican debate?
The third Republican debate will last from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. It’s being moderated by NBC’s Lester Holt and Kristen Welker, as well as nationally syndicated Salem Radio Network talk show host Hugh Hewitt.
NBC says the event will air on its television, streaming and digital platforms, including streaming on NBCNews.com.
– Associated Press
Will Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley spar?
One rivalry that viewers may be watching for during the Republican debate is between Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley. During the second debate, Haley told Ramaswamy that TikTok is “one of the most dangerous social media apps” in existence before she asserted in an exasperated tone: “Honestly, every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber for what you say.”
The political newcomer faced brunt of the blows in the first two debates, with more established Republicans on the stage, including Haley and ex-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, lining up to discredit the businessman.
– Francesca Chambers
Follow along as we fact-check the Republican debate
Was that fair criticism or cherry-picked data? An accurate description or a baseless conspiracy theory?
Follow along with the USA TODAY Fact Check Team as we dig into claims from the candidates as they make them 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.
– Eric Litke
Can you stream the Republican debate tonight?
As with the other two debates, the Republican National Committee has partnered with Rumble — a video-sharing platform popular with some conservatives — to livestream this one, in lieu of the network’s YouTube channel.
RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel said earlier this year this was a decision aimed toward “getting away from Big Tech.”
But NBC says the event will air on its television, streaming and digital platforms, including streaming on NBCNews.com.
– Associated Press
When is the next Republican debate? Alabama, Iowa and New Hampshire all host
While Trump is calling for all debates to end, Republican officials in Miami say they are moving forward with plans for at least three more confrontations – whether Trump wants to show up or not.
The next debate is already on the schedule: Dec. 6 in Tuscaloosa, home of the University of Alabama. Trump is not expected to attend. The GOP is also planning debates just before the Iowa caucuses, which are on Jan. 15, and the New Hampshire primary, which is expected to be scheduled for Jan. 23.
It may be harder for Trump to snub Iowa and New Hampshire – those debates will likely be held right before people actually vote.
– David Jackson
Group supporting Ron DeSantis tags Nikki Haley as ‘Hillary 2.0’
A political action committee that supports Ron DeSantis is taking shots at Nikki Haley ahead of Wednesday’s debate by reminding Republicans of who inspired her to run for elected office.
Never Back Down released a 30-second spot featuring the former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor praising Democrat Hillary Clinton on several occasions.
“I often say it… the reason I got into politics was because of Hillary Clinton,” Haley says in the video.
Haley, the only woman in the 2024 race, did credit Clinton for inspiring on numerous occassions during a 2012 book tour. She noted how Clinton, who ran for president in 2016, was a keynote speaker when she as a student at Birmingham University.
The attack is part of a larger offensive DeSantis and his allies have waged against the former UN ambassador, who has climbed in the polls and emerged as the likely new No. 2 in the GOP field.
— Phillip M. Bailey
Pre-Republican debate atmosphere in Miami? Pretty low-key
You might expect a laid back atmosphere in Miami, even for a presidential candidates’ debate.
And that’s what you’ve got: Streets are blocked off and fencing is in place around the debate site, but there are few people milling around and almost no demonstrators.
Quite a difference from the street fairs and protesters who surrounded the Milwaukee arena that hosted the first Republican debate back in August.
The second debate in September did not draw many bystanders, but that was held at the Ronald Reagan library on top of a mountain in California.
As night fell on sun-bleached Miami, a bicyclist carried a Trump 2024 flag. A man in a lawn chair at a street intersection held a sign that read “Trump or World War III.”
Trump himself, meanwhile, planned to host his own campaign rally in nearby Hialeah, Fla. On the other side of the Miami concert hall where the debate will be held, a lone man dressed a rat suit carried a sign that read “RAT: Republicans Against Trump.”
– David Jackson
Will Republican hopefuls address Glenn Youngkin, Andy Beshear and other 2023 races?
One thing viewers could keep an eye out for tonight is whether the Republican candidates address GOP losses after Election Day 2023.
Virginia Democrats took control of the state’s legislature, and they’re expected to block Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s conservative agenda. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear also won reelection on Tuesday and defeated his Republican challenger.
And in Ohio, voters passed a ballot measure to protect abortion rights, a push supported by Republicans in the Buckeye State.
The GOP hopefuls participating in Wednesday’s Republican debate may be pitching their vision for the nation, as well as a vision for the future of the Republican Party at the state and local level.
– Marina Pitofsky
Adrienne Arsht Center: Where is the Republican debate tonight being held?
The Republican debate will be held at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County.
– Haadiza Ogwude and Anthony Robledo
How to watch the Republican debate tonight: Channel, time and more
The third Republican primary debate will air live on NBC on Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST as stated. The debate will also stream on NBC News NOW and NBCNews.com.
– Anthony Robledo
What time does the GOP debate start?
The third GOP primary debate will occur on Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST in Miami.
– Anthony Robledo
Who is moderating the next Republican presidential primary debate? Kristen Welker, Lester Holt and Hugh Hewitt
“Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker, “NBC Nightly News” anchor Lester Holt and radio host Hugh Hewitt will moderate the third GOP primary debate Wednesday night.
– Anthony Robledo
What are the candidates saying about Donald Trump’s criminal indictments?
Trump’s various indictments in both federal and state criminal cases have led some of his rivals to fiercely defend him, while others have knocked him.
Biotechnology entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has taken the former position, alleging without evidence that the indictments are politically motivated. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott have also condemned the indictments on the campaign trail.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has warned that Trump’s legal troubles could cost GOP the 2024 presidential election. And Christie, one of Trump’s most vocal critics, has forecasted that the former president will be convicted, even as he seeks a second term in the White House.
– Sudiksha Kochi
Debate control: Republican Party tells candidates not to participate in Iowa forum
Seeking to maintain control of the debate process, the Republican National Committee is warning presidential candidates not to participate in an Iowa forum scheduled for later this month – or face exclusion from future RNC debates.
In a letter to the various campaigns, the RNC said it regards a “Thanksgiving Family Forum” sponsored by Iowa’s Family Leader Foundation as a debate in all but name.
Candidates have pledged not to participate in non-RNC debates. Said the letter: “Please be advised that any Republican presidential candidate who participates in this or other similar events will be deemed to have violated this pledge and will be disqualified from taking part in any future RNC-sanctioned presidential primary debates.”
– David Jackson
Here’s where GOP candidates stand on China and a potential invasion of Taiwan
Republicans agree on what they argue is an urgent need to combat the military and economic threat from China. But that’s where their agreement on the issue ends.
The United States has traditionally had a policy of strategic ambiguity on whether it would send troops to Taiwan to defend the island in the face of a Chinese invasion. Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has described China as the “most dangerous foreign threat we face since the second world war” and said it’s clear that Beijing is preparing for war.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he would do everything he could to avoid using the U.S. military against China, “but if it was unavoidable, I would do what needs to be done.”
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has previously said he would aggressively defend Taiwan – but only until the U.S. has semiconductor independence, which he has pledged to do by 2028. At that point, he said, would not risk war for “some nationalistic dispute between China and Taiwan.”
– Francesca Chambers
Who is in the Republican debate tonight?
Five Republican candidates qualified for the third Republican debate tonight, a smaller field than the previous events. They include:
Will there be a Democratic debate?
Joe Biden probably won’t take the debate stage with his Democratic rivals.
If an incumbent president is running, political parties usually rally around that person’s reelection bid. There’s no formal rule, but at this point, Biden is the de facto Democratic nominee.
– Marina Pitofsky
Christie, Haley issue dueling taunts before Republican debate
Nikki Haley and Chris Christie both took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to share a message of confidence heading into the GOP debate.
“I’ve never lost a race, I’m not going to start now,” Haley shared before the event, alongside a video of her campaigning.
The former New Jersey governor also posted “Let’s win the damn thing.”
− Marina Pitofsky
Where do the Republican candidates stand on abortion?
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.
Most Republican candidates, including Chris Christie, have said they would leave the issues to the states.
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
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
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.” Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has also come under scrutiny for his views, including a previous proposal to allow Putin to keep parts of eastern Ukraine.
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
Tim Scott invites Jewish students to Republican debate
South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott on Wednesday shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that he invited a group of Jewish students to attend the debate in Miami.
“As hate and anti-Semitism proliferate on college campuses, it is more important than ever to educate the minds of our next generation with thoughtful debate and discussion,” Scott shared.
The move comes as American colleges have reported a surge in crimes that appeared to target Jewish and Muslim people as the war between Israel and Hamas continues.
− Marina Pitofsky, Krystal Nurse, Eduardo Cuevas and Vanessa Arredondo
Donald Trump’s vice president pick: Tucker Carlson?
Some Republicans gathered in South Florida are already talking about who Trump might pick as a running mate if he goes on to win the GOP nomination – and pre-debate chatter centered on former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
While he and Carlson have clashed over the years, Trump had nothing but nice things to say when asked on The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show whether he would consider him for running mate.
“I like Tucker a lot – I guess I would – I think I’d say I would because he’s got great common sense,” Trump said.
Trump and his aides have also said it’s way too early to discuss running mates, and he is not likely to talk down any possibility.
− David Jackson
Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis are feuding
The 2024 Republican presidential campaign trail is becoming increasingly icy, and it’s not because of dropping temperatures.
Amid their battle for second place in the GOP primary race, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley have heightened attacks against one another on everything from their foreign policy stances to footwear choices.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu described the frosty relationship between the two candidates as getting “a bit chippy” after appearing with Haley at an event.
But the campaign jabs aren’t necessarily scoring the candidates any wins with voters in early primary states. Voters USA TODAY spoke with said they haven’t paid much attention to the back-and-forth between the two candidates.
− Karissa Waddick
Donald Trump holds rally opposite Republican debate
To no surprise, former president Donald Trump will not attend the third GOP primary debate in Miami.
Instead the Republican frontrunner will hold a rally Wednesday night at a stadium in Hialeah, Florida, just about a half-hour drive from the debate stage in the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County.
− Anthony Robledo
What are the stakes for tonight’s Republican debate?
Republican White House hopefuls not named Donald Trump will assemble in Miami this week for the third presidential primary debate. But what does each candidates need to do to break out? Here’s a look at a few contenders:
- Nikki Haley: Given how much the world stage has consumed the country, Washington and campaign trail, expect Haley’s quick-witted acumen to seize the microphone when America’s standing and role in the world comes up.
- Ron DeSantis: DeSantis will have to stiff arm Haley while also making the case that something has changed enough for him to be a serious threat to Trump.−
- Vivek Ramaswamy: The biggest challenge for Ramaswamy, whose ideas and rhetoric might excite some in the GOP base, will be showing a more personal side that can close that likability gap with those same voters.– Phillip M. Bailey
Conservative Supreme Court could factor into debate
Seven years ago, during the first GOP debate of the 2016 election, the Supreme Court was criticized by several candidates.
“It’s time that we recognize the Supreme Court is not the supreme being,” then candidate Mike Huckabee quipped.
What a difference a few years makes.
The nation’s highest court, which today is more conservative than it has been in decades, has already factored into the GOP primary. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump have swiped at each other over whether the bench is conservative enough. Earlier this year, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy released a list of candidates he said he would nominate to the court, including Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah. – John Fritze
Nikki Haley, Tim Scott and others oppose student debt forgiveness
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden’s plan to forgive $400 billion in student loan debt for hundreds of Americans – a move that 2024 GOP candidates applauded and has become a contentious point of debate.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley wrote on X that a president “cannot just wave his hand and eliminate loans for students he favors.” South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott has supported legislation prohibiting Biden from cancelling student loan debt.
Likewise, biotechnology entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy supported the court’s decision.
“We have a bad habit in America of paying people to do the exact opposite of what we want them to do: more $$ to stay at home than to work, more $$ to be a single mother than married, more $$ for those who *fail* to repay loans than those who do,” Ramaswamy wrote on X.
– Sudiksha Kochi
Will GOP election losses take center stage at tonight’s Republican debate?
Most of the pre-debate buzz in Miami centers on Republican reversals in Tuesday’s off-year elections – and debaters plan to argue that they are the answer to the party’s ills.
Haley and her aides cite her strong poll numbers against President Joe Biden and stress that Republicans have lost the popular vote in seven of the last eight elections.
“Isn’t it time we had a Republican who can win a general election?” the Haley campaign said in a statement.
DeSantis, meanwhile, cites the fact that he won re-election as governor of Florida in a landslide, and has turned a former battleground state into a Republican-leaning one.
Trump, who is holding a competing rally near the debate site, is being blamed for some of the GOP losses, But he is laying it on establishment Republicans like Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell.
Citing the GOP candidate who lost the Kentucky’s governor race, Trump said on Truth Social: “Daniel Cameron lost because he couldn’t alleviate the stench of Mitch McConnell.”
Of course, Trump also endorsed Cameron.
– David Jackson
Republican primary polls ahead of the third GOP debate
All of the candidates on the debate stage Wednesday night are trailing former President Donald Trump in state and national polls.
According to a Real Clear Politics average of GOP primary polls, Trump leads the crowded Republican field with 58.3% support, followed by DeSantis at 14.6%. Haley has garnered 9.4% support, while Ramaswamy has received 4.4%.
During the debate, the Republican White House hopefuls will be looking for breakout moments to connect with voters and potentially boost their support across the country.
– Marina Pitofsky
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