Fifth GOP debate: Ron DeSantis calls out former President Donald Trump for not delivering on his promises

DES MOINES, IOWA: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tore into former President and current Republican front-runner Donald Trump at the GOP presidential debate on January 10, when asked whether he believed the latter has the character to be president again.

The question was posed by moderator Jake Tapper, who led with the news of former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie dropping out of the presidential race.

"He (Christie) said the most important issue is 'the character of the candidate,'" said Tapper. "Gov Christie also said that he ran because he knew he would be the only Republican candidate to speak the truth about former President Donald Trump."

He followed by asking the two candidates on stage, DeSantis and former US Ambassador Nikki Haley, what they felt on the subject.

Ron DeSantis' take on Donald Trump

"I appreciated what President Trump did," began DeSantis, "But let's just be honest. He said he was gonna build a wall and have Mexico pay for it - he did not deliver that."

The 45-year-old politician went on to list the times Trump, 77, had not lived up to his claims.

"He said he was gonna drain the swamp, he did not deliver that. He said that he was gonna hold Hillary (Clinton) accountable, and he let her off the hook. He said he was gonna eliminate the debt, and he added $7.8 trillion to the debt."

"So we need to deliver and get this stuff done," he stressed.

Ron DeSantis takes a swing at Nikki Haley on the topic of character

After calling out the former President who was qualified for the night's debate but chose to remain absent, DeSantis refocused his attack on his opponent on stage.

"I debated the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom - I thought he lied a lot. Man, Nikki Haley might give him a run for his money, and she may even be more liberal than Gavin Newsom is," he stated.

"We are in a situation (where) as Republicans, you need somebody (who) is going to be in there (the presidential office) and fight for you," he continued.

"And Nikki Haley, anytime the going gets tough, anytime people come down, she caves," accused DeSantis.

"When you need someone standing there and fighting for you, don't look for Nikki Haley. You won't be able to find her if you had a search warrant," he concluded.