The GOP debate going on tonight may take a backseat to President Donald Trump’s interview with Tucker Carlson, but that doesn’t mean their won’t be memorable moments.
Florida governor Ron DeSantis was poised to be one of the “favorites” on stage tonight.
Many believe this is because DeSantis has worked tirelessly to present himself as “Trump lite.”
He opened up the debate strong enough, but he did so by parroting a common slogan used by President Donald Trump about the Biden Administration’s reign.
“Our country is in in decline,” DeSantis stated after the moderator asked the candidates about their reaction to the hit song “Rich Men North of Richmond.”
“This decline is not inevitable. It’s a choice. We need to send Joe Biden back to his basement and reverse American decline,” stated DeSantis.
While this was a good answer, it fell in line with a popular campaign slogan of President Trump’s where he says “We are a nation in decline.”
First 2024 Republican debate live updates: DeSantis: 'Our country is in decline' https://t.co/0icuZulc67 pic.twitter.com/3Bk8FWy8TU
— New York Post (@nypost) August 24, 2023
Here’s more on DeSantis’ opening statement from the New York Post:
Fox News host Martha MacCallum kicked off the debate with a round of questions for the candidates based on the number one song on the Billboard chart, “Rich Men North of Richmond.”
Its “lyrics speak of alienation, of deep frustration with the state of government and of this country,” MacCallum said before asking DeSantis to answer first: “Why is this song striking such a nerve in this country right now?”
“Our country is in decline,” DeSantis responded. “This decline is not inevitable. It’s a choice. We need to send Joe Biden back to his basement and reverse American decline.”
Our country is in decline. This decline is not inevitable. It is a choice.
We need to reverse American decline, and it starts with understanding that we must reverse Bidenomics.
As your president, I will get the job done. I will not let you down. pic.twitter.com/cgoAlpYw8a
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) August 24, 2023
"Our country is in decline, this decline is not inevitable, it's a choice…we must reverse Bidenomics."-Ron DeSantis
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) August 24, 2023
desantis opens debate: “our country is in decline.”
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) August 24, 2023
This sounded familiar…
TRUMP: Now, we are a nation in decline, we are a failing nation. We are a nation that has the highest inflation in 50 years, where banks are collapsing."
MORE: https://t.co/8jdXcCxToJ pic.twitter.com/FJwhFWplx3
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) March 26, 2023
President Trump’s closing remarks at Mar-a-Lago tonight:
“We are a nation in decline, and now these Radical Left lunatics want to interfere in our Elections by weaponizing law enforcement.
We can’t let that happen!” pic.twitter.com/mPO9Y246sM
— Alexander Sheppard 🇺🇸 (@NotAlexSheppard) April 5, 2023
Still, many gave DeSantis credit for his opening statement:
They're discussing Oliver Anthony's "Rich Men North Of Richmond" during the Republican debate asking candidates why the song is striking a nerve with the country.
"Our country is in decline," DeSantis responds saying we must reverse Bidenomics.
— Chris Bertman (@manofbert) August 24, 2023
Strong opening statement from DeSantis: "Our country is in decline." Well, it's true. #GOPDebate
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) August 24, 2023
desantis opens debate: “our country is in decline.”
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) August 24, 2023
DeSantis is absolutely correct that decline is a choice. This country has lots of examples of well-run, safe cities. Including Miami in Florida, which I'm sure Mayor Suarez will talk up.
— Kostas Moros (@MorosKostas) August 24, 2023
https://twitter.com/imyourmoderator/status/1694520431451992230?s=20