Thursday evening’s Fox News GOP debate went on as planned without Donald Trump, who held his own Iowa event to benefit wounded veterans (though the figures are looking sketchy). In doing so, Trump used his CNN-covered shindig to draw viewers away from Fox News, but some protesters shook things up a bit. It’s not a Trump rally without either tossed tomatoes, protesters, or both.
Over on Fox News, a mostly civilized debate took place. The adventurous GOP candidates who participated (along with moderator Megyn Kelly) paid lip service to “the elephant not in the room” by expressing faux regret that Trump did not attend. Zombie Jeb Bush said, “I kinda miss Donald Trump, he was a little teddy bear to me. We always had such a loving relationship.” Awkward.
Despite Trump’s non-attendance and lack of courage, Kelly largely pretended like nothing was amiss. In fact, her performance let the world know exactly why Donald Trump is terrified of her.
The internet noticed how Kelly went hard on Marco Rubio for switching sides on immigration. In response, the usually unflappable Rubio appeared flustered. Will he be the next one to skip a debate?
Kelly is hammering Rubio on amnesty. Dang. #GOPDebate
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) January 29, 2016
Megyn Kelly pushes Rubio hard on immigration and amnesty, reminds him of his past statements. This is a problem. #GOPDebate
— Ken Rudin (@kenrudin) January 29, 2016
Rubio is apparently Kelly’s new target. I guess he’s not going to attend the next debate. #GOPDebate
— Matthew Rathbun (@mattrathbun) January 29, 2016
Megyn Kelly kind of skewers Rubio on immigration amnesty. That @realDonaldTrump is clearly onto something.
— Geoff Dyer (@DyerGeoff) January 29, 2016
Kelly also took on Ted Cruz’s wishy-washy immigration stance with some prepared video clips, and the effect was brutal.
https://twitter.com/michaelianblack/status/692906527468834816
Bush & Rubio spar on immigration; now Megyn Kelly zeroes in on Cruz over his past statements on immigration
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) January 29, 2016
After the debate was over, Kelly asked the internet to tell her who won.
Who do you think won the night? Share your thoughts using #KellyFile.
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) January 29, 2016
But The Daily Show had already delivered an unequivocal response.
Megyn's fact-checks ON FLEEK. #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/US9FrRjpTk
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) January 29, 2016
Much of Twitter agreed that Kelly was indeed the winner, for the GOP bodies hit the floor in response to her merciless questions.
I, for one, have decided that I won't live Tweet tonight's Republican debate unless @megynkelly appears! Time to take a stand!#GOPDebate
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) January 28, 2016
https://twitter.com/markand4503/status/692937144122380289
https://twitter.com/beingtheo/status/692912989679255556
Congrats to @megynkelly for winning the debate.
— Geoff Stults (@geoffstults) January 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/MichaelIsbell/status/692907369324494849
Megyn Kelly and her video montages: pic.twitter.com/6ejICE8zvk
— Doug Gansler (@DougGansler) January 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/mwachtel/status/692907604910026753
thank you @megynkelly for sharp questions on #immigration #GOPDebate
— Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) January 29, 2016
Of course, the winner may have been decided days ago when Trump ran away to hide in his private jet. Just saying.
https://twitter.com/Sierra_Marlee/status/692159321967321089
Megyn Kelly won Thursday's Republican Debate…on a Tuesday. 😉 pic.twitter.com/135J4fBtDO
— Jeff Barrett (@BarrettAll) January 27, 2016