Viewers worried about the country’s future worried about Gavin Newsom’s health as the California governor struggled through tonight’s debate with Florida’s Ron DeSantis.
Crime, immigration and schools were on the agenda as the two potential presidents tried to take a political stance in the wake of Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
But the clash of ideologies was missed by some audience members who found it difficult to concentrate in the face of Newsom’s hoarse delivery.
Many took to social media in response, but were divided over whether it was health, nerves or the sheer volume of speeches that benefited the Democrat.
“What happened to your voice? “It’s insanely scratchy,” Shanna I wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Both governors struggled to make their voices heard as they constantly talked over each other on the Fox debate show.
Fox expected a large audience as voters gathered to listen to the two young potential presidential candidates set up their stands for the future
But the California governor’s singing proved too much for some who vented their anger
“This debate proves that Gavin Newsom is a whiny child with an extremely annoying voice,” Spieswholie added.
“No one outside of California will vote for this idiot.”
“Gavin started out cocky and laughing and now he’s straining and not laughing,” wrote Ahuva Shain, “Body language tells a big story!”
Both governors struggled to be heard as they constantly talked over each other on the Fox debate show.
DeSantis criticized his California counterpart by pointing out his hypocrisy during COVID-19 when he went to fine-dining restaurant The French Laundry and sent his children to private schools while its residents were still under quarantine.
Newsom accused DeSantis of “trolling” over his plan to transport migrants from border states to Democratic sanctuary cities – and said he was trying to one-up former President Donald Trump with his antics.
“The great red and blue state debate – can they just stop trying to persuade each other?” demanded Melody 22.
“Ron DeSantis let Gavin Newsom speak in his crackling voice (is that because of the California smog)!”
“I can’t even watch this debate right now because the sound of Gavin Newsom’s voice makes me sick,” Paula Scanlan added, complete with a vomit emoji.
Crime, immigration and schools were on the agenda of the highly anticipated showdown
For some, however, it was more of an annoyance that the candidates were talking about each other
“Real question: What is Newsom’s health status?” requested by seethew0rld.
“What’s going on besides his increasingly hoarse voice with his bright red hands?”
“Dear God, that voice,” Linda Traitz added.
Republican broadcaster Jenna Ellis had urged conservatives to watch the debate to find out whether the Florida governor has what it takes to oust Donald Trump in the hearts of primary voters.
But that earned her a lot of praise from viewers with sensitive ears.
“So if I don’t watch because I can’t stand the sound of Gavin Newsom’s voice, I’m not really a conservative?” Andrew Lovsness asked.
Owen Durden suggested that the 56-year-old was simply trying to channel former Democratic President Bill Clinton “from voice to hand gestures to physical nervousness.”
And Timothy Lassley suggested an even more extreme comparison: “When Gavin Newsom speaks, all I hear is Nancy Pelosi’s voice,” he tweeted.
But DeSantis, with a different mindset than Mike Tausig, didn’t have it all his own way.
“Neither Newsom nor Ron DeSantis will shut up and answer a question,” he wrote.
“Desantis’s” voice is AMAZING!
Newsom initially challenged DeSantis to a debate in September 2022. At that time, DeSantis was not yet running in the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
DeSantis is now in second place but consistently trails Trump in the polls.
He has already participated in three Republican primary debates against his non-Trump Republican opponents before the fight with Newsom.
Meanwhile, Newsom is not in the 2024 race – insisting he has no intention of entering the race and is instead serving as a surrogate for Biden.
Fox News host Sean Hannity led the debate in Alpharetta, Georgia
In an interview with Hannity in June, Newsom, a liberal, again said he would debate DeSantis, a conservative, moderated by the Fox host.
DeSantis formally agreed in August, telling Hannity in an interview, “I’m ready.” Let’s get it done. Just tell me when and where.’
“We were shocked when he said yes,” the Californian’s rep told
“Newsom had been challenging Desantis (sic) to a debate for months, and the fact that he finally agreed when his campaign was stalling shows how much Desantis (sic) needs to distract from his disaster of a candidacy,” he added.