Fourth GOP debate: Chris Christie and Ron DeSantis mocked as they spar over question about Donald Trump being 'mentally fit'

Chris Christie intervened as Ron DeSantis attempts to answer a question about Donald Trump at the Fourth GOP debate
PUBLISHED DEC 7, 2023
Chris Christie interrupts Ron DeSantis as he attempts to answer a question about Donald Trump being 'mentally fit' (Getty Images)
Chris Christie interrupts Ron DeSantis as he attempts to answer a question about Donald Trump being 'mentally fit' (Getty Images)

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA: The fourth GOP debate in Alabama, moderated by Elizabeth Vargas, Megyn Kelly, and Eliana Johnson mentioned the absentee, Donald Trump, a few times, as each candidate has answered questions about the former President.

Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis was asked about Trump, and whether or not DeSantis believed the former President and fellow Republican candidate was “mentally fit” to become President in 2024, however, DeSantis seemed to have dodged the question and was immediately called out on the same by his fellow candidate and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie.

Ron DeSantis is questioned about Donald Trump

During the fourth GOP debate in Alabama, Ron DeSantis was asked, “Donald Trump would be older on day one of his second presidency than Joe Biden was on his first. You have said Trump is not the same man he was in 2016, your campaign is running ads showing Trump confused.”

“You seem to be saying Donald Trump is no longer mentally fit to be president, is that what you think?” asked Elizabeth Vargas.

To this, DeSantis responded, “Father time is undefeated, the idea that we’re going to put someone up there who is almost 80 and there is going to be no effects from that. We all know that’s not true, and so we have an opportunity to do a next generation of leaders, and really be able to move this country forward.”

Chris Christie intervenes amid Ron DeSantis’ response

As Ron DeSantis continued to attempt the answer about Donald Trump being “mentally fit,” Chris Christie intervened and asked, “Why doesn’t he just answer the question? The question was very direct. If he fit to be president or isn’t he?”



 

Christie continued, “The rest of the speech is interesting but completely nonresponsive, and if we were in a courtroom, they’d strike the answer.”

Following this, the former New Jersey governor, Christie, and Florida governor, DeSantis, got into a shouting match with each other, as Christie repeatedly asked DeSantis if Trump was “fit”

Internet reacts to Chris Christie and Ron DeSantis’ brief spar

After Chris Christie and Ron DeSantis sparred over DeSantis not answering the question about Donald Trump being “mentally fit,” conservative host Benny Johnson shared a clip of the same and the internet was quick to respond,

One user wrote, “What a joke these guys are," and another wrote, "What a F*****g trainwreck."



 



 

"Such toddlers," mocked one user, and another wrote, "I have seen troubled teenagers with better composure. These debates are unbearable to watch."



 



 

Internet continued to respond on the social media platform as one user wrote, "The debates have turned into drinking games. #RentFree," and another wrote, "What a joke these clowns are."



 



 

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Steve Scalise mocked Democratic arguments that voter ID laws amount to suppression, calling their debate 'embarrassing'
5 hours ago
Marjorie Taylor Greene said a dispute over the files led to a clash with President Donald Trump, who she claimed threatened to primary her
5 hours ago
GSA deputy cautioned 7-Eleven that denying service to federal agents could threaten its participation in government fuel and fleet programs
5 hours ago
Steve Bannon said protesters were not peaceful and aimed to break the spirit of ICE, adding Donald Trump was trying to accommodate and negotiate
6 hours ago
Wes Moore said he would not attend if the meeting became 'name-calling' and emphasized he 'will work with anyone but bow down to no one'
7 hours ago
Speaking outside the Capitol, AOC linked Republican majorities to Trump’s policy gains and urged voter action in the midterm elections
7 hours ago
Donald Trump delivered the remarks to House Republicans at the Kennedy Center, renamed in his honor by his appointees
7 hours ago
Jacob Frey said hundreds or thousands of people were affected and stressed that accountability must come through the justice system
8 hours ago
Kristi Noem says the DHS funding stalemate endangers airport security, disaster response and Coast Guard operations, urging lawmakers to act swiftly
9 hours ago
President Donald Trump said the 'SAVE Act' is now the 'Save America Act,' adding that Democrats oppose the renamed bill
9 hours ago