Takeaways From the Trump Town Hall and Haley–DeSantis Debate

The former president’s GOP challengers attacked him on multiple issues. Trump skipped the debate and fielded tough questions from voters.

Former President and 2024 Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks as moderators Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum look on during a town hall in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 10, 2024. Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images

President Donald Trump on Jan. 10 held a town hall in Iowa as his two leading rivals debated in his shadow.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took shots at each other at a debate hosted by CNN in Des Moines, Iowa. The two other contenders for the nomination, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, failed to meet the heightened requirements to take part in the debate.