A surprising turn of events at the Fox Theater in Bakersfield, California, the much-anticipated debate between California Governor Gavin Newsom and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ended abruptly on Thursday night. The unexpected conclusion came after Fox News moderator Sean Hannity proposed a 30-minute extension, to which both governors had initially agreed.
During the last commercial break, Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, took the stage and brought the debate to a close on behalf of her husband, deviating from the previously agreed-upon extension.
The debate, slated for 90 minutes, aimed to delve into key topics such as the economy, immigration, health care, education, and the environment. As potential presidential candidates for 2024, Newsom, a Democrat, and DeSantis, a Republican, clashed on multiple issues, showcasing distinct visions for their respective states and the nation.
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Newsom defended his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing adherence to science and public health expert advice. He highlighted California’s high vaccination rate and low hospitalization rate, also pointing to achievements in health care access, clean energy investment, and efforts to tackle homelessness and housing affordability.
DeSantis, on the other hand, criticized Newsom’s policies as draconian and authoritarian, contending they harmed California’s economy and violated citizens’ rights. He touted a balanced approach to the pandemic, resulting in Florida’s lower unemployment rate and higher GDP growth compared to California. DeSantis also highlighted tax cuts, reduced regulations, law enforcement support, and the ban on critical race theory in schools.
The debate was marked by heated exchanges, interruptions, and accusations of dishonesty. Hannity, a conservative commentator and DeSantis supporter, attempted to moderate but injected his own opinions and arguments. Visual comparisons of California and Florida statistics were displayed, leading to later claims by Newsom’s team that Hannity violated the multimedia agreement.
Scheduled to conclude at 9 p.m. local time, Hannity proposed an extension due to pending topics. Newsom expressed willingness to continue indefinitely, and DeSantis agreed. However, after a commercial break, Hannity abruptly declared the debate over without providing an explanation. Sources revealed that Newsom’s wife had intervened, putting an unexpected end to the event.
