Chris Christie nicknamed ‘Porky Pig’ after calling Donald Trump ‘Donald Duck’ during second GOP debate 2024

With his position in the race at risk of stalling, DeSantis faced pressure to have a standout and aggressive performance Wednesday.

DeSantis seemed eager to jump in on a question after Trump was criticized by former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has made hammering Trump a focus of his campaign. DeSantis began speaking at the same time as another candidate and when finally given the floor, he used his answer to hit President Joe Biden and Trump in the same swipe, accusing them of lacking leadership.

DeSantis found an opportunity later in the debate to hit Trump on abortion, an area where he’s recently stepped up his attacks from the right.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie decided to take up his speaking time to send a message to former President Donald Trump, who again chose to skip the 2024 Republican presidential debate.

DeSantis hits Trump

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had an aggressive start, using his first answer to criticize Trump for skipping the debate and for adding to the national debt while serving as president.

“Donald Trump is missing in action,” DeSantis said. “He should be here on this stage tonight. He owes it to you to defend his record.”

DeSantis said Trump was wrong to blame the Republican Party’s lackluster performance in the 2022 midterm elections on the overturning of national abortion rights.

“He should be here explaining his comments,” DeSantis said. “I want him to look into the eyes and tell people who’ve been fighting this fight for a long time.”

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called Donald Trump “Donald Duck” at the GOP presidential debate where Trump was visibly absent.

Presidential candidate Chris Christie seized an opportunity to make a playful Taylor Swift reference — while throwing in a jab at former President Donald Trump — hours before the second Republican debate Wednesday.

“I was just a guy in the bleachers on Sunday… but after tonight, Trump will know we are never ever getting back together,” the former New Jersey governor wrote on social media, borrowing from the pop singer’s iconic lyrics.

Christie’s dig was in response to a photo posted to social media of Christie sitting alongside Dallas Cowboys owner and Republican donor Jerry Jones during the Cowboys’ game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, accompanied by a user’s joking question: “Ooooh who on the Cowboys is Chris Christie dating?!” The question nodded to the internet frenzy over rumors that Swift is dating Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce, fueled by her attendance at a recent game with Kelce’s mother.

Christie has openly attacked Trump since launching his campaign, and the post likely foreshadows more attempts to position himself as a foil to the former president during Wednesday’s debate.