8 GOP candidates squared off in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Wednesday night
Vivek Ramaswamy on debate performance: It was fun
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy joins Hannity to react to his performance during the first GOP primary debate.
Conservatives took to social media on Wednesday night in droves to opine on who they believed won the first GOP primary debate and who struggled to establish themselves.
Following the conclusion of the Fox News Debate, conservatives on social media weighed in on who they thought won the debate with some praising entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, others supporting former Ambassador Nikki Haley, and many throwing their support behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
"@NikkiHaley is the debate winner tonight," political commentator Meghan McCain posted on social media. "Well done."
RAMASWAMY, PENCE CLASH AFTER FORMER VP CALLS GOP NEWCOMER A 'ROOKIE': 'THIS ISN'T COMPLICATED'
2024 Republican presidential candidates Asa Hutchinson, from left, Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, Senator Tim Scott and Doug Burgum during the Republican primary presidential debate hosted by Fox News in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
"Vivek #Ramaswamy was the clear winner of the @Foxnews debate," political commentator Carol Swain tweeted. "He would make a great vice-presidential choice for #DonaldJTrump or #RonDeSantis. None of the other candidates did themselves any good. I recommend they pack up and go home."
.@NikkiHaley is the debate winner tonight. Well done.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) August 24, 2023
GOP Congressman Chip Roy, who has endorsed Ron DeSantis, told Fox News he believes the Florida Governor won the debate.
CHRIS CHRISTIE HIT WITH 'LOTS OF BOOS' AFTER GOP DEBATE INTRODUCTION
Republican presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) speaks during the first debate of the GOP primary season hosted by FOX News at the Fiserv Forum on August 23, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Vivek #Ramaswamy was the clear winner of the @Foxnews debate. He would make a great vice-presidential choice for #DonaldJTrump or #RonDeSantis. None of the other candidates did themselves any good. I recommend they pack up and go home. #Debate #DebateNight @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/2cnTgrQXHg
— Dr. Carol M. Swain (@carolmswain) August 24, 2023
Rep. @chiproytx: DeSantis “showed why he's the clear leader. He was the clear winner of the debate. He was speaking directly to the American people.” pic.twitter.com/EQuIcEzLaC
— Team DeSantis (@TeamDeSantis) August 24, 2023
This has been a really good night for DeSantis and Vivek. They both elevated themselves. Nikki has a good night sparring about foreign policy especially.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) August 24, 2023
Pence, Asa and Christie have no chance. Burgum has good ideas but won’t catch on.
Scott’s closing was good.
DeSantis won.
— David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) August 24, 2023
Closing Remarks - I’ll rate 1 to 10.
— Kimberly Klacik (@kimKBaltimore) August 24, 2023
10 being spectacular. 1 being 💩
Burgum- 7
Hutchinson- 5
Scott- 8.5
Christie- 5.5
Haley- 7.5
Pence- 7.5
Ramaswamy- 9
DeSantis- 8.5#GOPDebate
Join me @ 9am on @WCBM680 to discuss. Stream Live, https://t.co/HZWnZtvXwU
Several political commentators weighed in on who they thought was uninspiring during the debate.
"Hutchinson and Burgum won't be at the next debate," conservative author Dana Loesch tweeted. "I don't even know why they were at this one."
Let’s be clear - DeSantis was alone in one debate, and everybody else was in another, more annoying one.
— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) August 24, 2023
Calm, confident and capable.
DeSantis won.
"Nikki and Tim met expectations but didn't move the needle," Daily Wire's Michael Knowles tweeted. "Hutchinson exceeded expectations inasmuch as he didn't trans a child onstage. Doug Burgum is the worst candidate in the race by virtually every measure and somehow perhaps also the most likable."
Former Vice President Mike Pence, 2024 Republican presidential candidate, from left, Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida and 2024 Republican presidential candidate, and Vivek Ramaswamy. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty)
Hutchinson and Burgum won't be at the next debate. I don't even know why they were at this one.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) August 24, 2023
Wednesday's debate represented the first time that GOP candidates debated together on a stage. The next debate will take place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on September on Sept. 27 and will be hosted by Fox Business.
Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to
