Fifth GOP debate: Internet slams Ron DeSantis as he explains why Iowans should vote for him

DES MOINES, IOWA: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has hit the ground running at the fifth Republican Debate, facing off against former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley at Drake University.

Along with the two contenders on stage, former President Donald Trump had qualified to appear on the debate which is being hosted by CNN, but chose to stay away like the previous four, and instead hold a town hall which will be televised by Fox News.

Dana Bash, who is moderating the GOP debate along with Jake Tapper, asked DeSantis right off the bat why he should be looked at as a better opposition to Donald Trump, who has been consistently ahead in the polls, rather than Haley.

Ron DeSantis claims to be the only one fighting for people's issues

"Donald Trump is running to pursue his own issues. Nikki Haley is running to pursue her donors' issues. I'm running to pursue your issues and your family's issues, and to turn this country around," was the prompt response of the 45-year-old politician.

"I'm the only one running that's delivered on one hundred percent of the promises that I have made," continued DeSantis, mentioning that he had succeeded in delivering "huge victories in the state of Florida, things that Republicans have been asking for generations."

"I'm also the only one running (who) has beaten the left, time and time again," he claimed, trying to appeal to the conservative audience.

"We beat the teachers' union on Universal School Choice, we beat Soros on crime, we beat Fauci on COVID, we beat the Dems on election integrity," he listed, "And I beat the left by banning China from buying land in the state of Florida."

The Government went back to slamming his opponent on stage, Haley, at the close of his opening argument, saying, "We don't need another mealy mouth who just tells you what she thinks you want to hear just to try to get your vote - then to get into office to do her donors' bidding."

"(Haley) was in another state, and she said that the people of Iowa's votes need to be 'corrected.' This is somebody who wrote in her book that Hillary Clinton inspired her to first run for office. I remember Hillary denigrating people on the Republican side as deplorables. We don't need candidates who are gonna look down on Middle America, we've had enough of that."

"I'm the only one (who is) going to be able to lead this country's revival. I'm asking for your support and I won't let you down," he concluded.

Internet reacts to the Ron DeSantis' claims

Social media users have taken to X to troll DeSantis over his claims of working for the people, as the following tweets demonstrate.

"No one likes you ronny," wrote a user, as another echoed, "No one is watching that trash Ron."

"Must be sad debating for something you already know you'll lose," jibed a third.

"Oh, gee, how original. Another politician claiming to be the savior of the people, the champion of the little guy, and the antidote to the corrupt establishment. Because clearly, that's something we've never heard before. And let's not forget that running for office is all about pandering to one's base, chasing donations, and making empty promises," mocked a fourth user.

A fifth tweet called him out, saying, "Issues you haven’t and can’t solve let’s be real. Talk is cheap kid."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.