DeSantis, Christie blame both Biden and Trump for increased spending in Washington, say he should be on the debate stage
When debate moderators asked the 2024 GOP candidates about the impending government shutdown, some – including Trump’s closest opponent DeSantis – pivoted to blame the former president and current President Biden for the logjam.
Both men also called out Trump for his absence on stage, noting that he should be answering for himself as the shutdown looms.
"People in Washington are shutting down the American dream with their reckless behavior,” DeSantis said.
“And you know who else is missing an action? Donald Trump is missing an action. He should be on this stage tonight. He owes it to you to defend his record where they added 7.8 trillion to the debt that set the stage for the inflation that we have.”
Chris Christie – one of Trump’s staunchest critics – also admonished the former president.
“If the government shuts down, should voters blame populace Republicans? Very simply everybody who's in Washington, D.C.,” said Christie.
“And let's be honest about this with the voters. You know, during the Trump administration, they added $7 trillion — $7 trillion in national debt. And now the Biden administration has put another 5 trillion on and counting.”
“Donald Trump– he hides behind the walls of his golf clubs, and won't show up here to answer questions like all the rest of us are up here. He puts 7 trillion on the debt. He should be in this room to answer those questions for the people you talk about who are suffering,” Christie said.
–ABC News’ Isabella Murray
