During Wednesday’s Republican primary debate, all eight candidates were asked, by a raise of hand, if Donald Trump is convicted in a court of law, would they support him as the Republican nominee?
Six out of the eight candidates raised their hands. Included in those six were former Vice President Mike Pence, whom Trump fed to the wolves in 2020 when he falsely claimed that Pence had the power to overturn the presidential election result.
Florida Gov. Ron Desantis, or Ron Desanctimonious as Trump called him in last night’s interview with Tucker Carlson, also raised his hand. It may not be the best idea for DeSantis, who is currently polling in second, to support the only candidate in his way to a presidential nomination.
For Trump to choose to sit out a debate, and still have the majority of candidates say they would support him even if he is convicted of a crime, says a lot about the control he has over the Republican Party. Honestly, if this loyalty to Trump continues on the debate stage, they might as well call it the vice presidential debates.
According to Reuters, Tucker Carlson’s pre-recorded interview with the former president hit 74 million views on X (Twitter). The interview, which was posted the same time as the debate began, was basically Trump playing his greatest hits. He called former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson weak and pathetic. He also called out former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.