Fox News Channel host Dana Perino noted that former President Donald Trump enjoys a clear polling lead over his opponents in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, and she urged the GOP hopefuls onstage in California to identify another candidate they would kick “off the island.”
“It’s now obvious that if you all stay in the race, former President Donald Trump wins the nomination,” Perino began. “None of you have indicated that you are dropping out. So, which one of you onstage tonight should be voted off the island?”
“Please use your marker to write your choice on the notepad in front of you, 15 seconds, starting now,” she added.
But Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stood up to the moderator and rejected the question.
“With all due respect, I mean, we’re here,” the governor said. “We’re happy to debate, but I think that that’s disrespectful to my fellow competitors.”
“Let’s talk about the future of the country,” DeSantis added.
One candidate did write a name on his notepad, however.
“I vote Donald Trump off the island right now,” former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said. “And the reason I vote him off the island … every person on this stage has shown the respect for Republican voters to come here, to express their views, honestly, candidly, and directly, and to take your questions.”
“I have respect for every man and woman on this stage because they’ve done it,” Christie added.
Referring to Trump, he added: “This guy has not only divided our party, he’s divided families all over this country. He’s divided friends all over this country.”
“He needs to be voted off the island, and he needs to be taken out of this process,” Christie said.
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