America could potentially witness a Republican vs. Democrat debate before the 2024 presidential election, featuring Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Right-wing Fox News host Sean Hannity would moderate the conservative-liberal showdown, as confirmed by DeSantis on Fox News. However, neither governor currently holds a prominent national platform. DeSantis is significantly trailing thrice-indicted front-runner Trump in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, and Newsom’s aspirations reportedly focus on 2028 rather than a presidential run in 2024.
According to a New York Times article, both governors seem to crave attention, suggesting that the potential debate might be more of a publicity stunt.
Hannity asked DeSantis on his show for a response to Newsom’s offer, to which DeSantis enthusiastically replied, “Absolutely. I’m game. Let’s get it done. Just tell me when and where.”
DeSantis wasted no time in pointing out the mass exodus from California and the rise in migration to Florida. He warned against the “Californication” of the United States and suggested that Newsom could still emerge as a Democratic challenger to Biden, further accelerating America’s decline.
Newsom and DeSantis tentatively agreed on a date for the debate, either on November 8 or 10.
In response to the announcement, a spokesperson for Newsom, Nathan Click, challenged DeSantis to back up his words, stating, “DeSantis should put up or shut up,” as reported by The New York Times.
DeSantis’ campaign has faced setbacks as he engages in culture wars, downplays slavery in school curricula, enacts anti-trans legislation, and restricts abortions after six weeks. Newsom, on the other hand, has recently called out GOP governors like Greg Abbott of Texas for resisting gun control, advocating book bans, and targeting doctors who perform abortions.
The idea of a debate was initially proposed by Newsom in September through a tweet, where he challenged DeSantis to a debate and suggested that both bring their respective hair products.