The Corner

Trump Demands a Coronation

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Former president and Republican candidate Donald Trump gestures at a Republican fundraising dinner in Columbia, S.C., August 5, 2023.

Sam Wolfe/Reuters

“Where’s Joe Biden? He’s completely missing in action from leadership,” Florida governor Ron DeSantis said during Wednesday night’s Republican presidential-primary debate. “And you know who else is missing in action? Donald Trump is missing in action. He should be on this stage tonight.” DeSantis maintained that Trump “owes it to you to defend his record where they added $7.8 trillion to the debt. That set the stage for the inflation we have now.”

“Every person on this stage has shown respect for Republican voters, to come here, to express their views honestly, candidly, and directly, and to take your questions honestly,” Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie agreed. By contrast, Trump “hides behind the walls of his golf clubs and won’t show up here to answer questions like all the rest of us are up here to answer.”

Noah Rothman

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.

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