Twitter has already chimed in on who won tonight’s big political fight. No, we don’t mean the GOP debate. We mean the standoff between the debate and Donald Trump’s simultaneous alternate event.
We all know the story. Trump backed off the debate after he felt insulted by a Fox News press release defending co-moderator Megyn Kelly. Trump enlisted military veterans on a mission to steal Fox News’ thunder and prove the GOP needs him for ratings and attention.
Did he succeed?
Well, Trump got off to a nice start when social media exploded after Fox News issued another statement in the early stages of the debate. Instead of paying attention to the debate, pundits and bloggers were busy obsessing over the exchange.
It’s all because Trump claimed Fox News tried to apologize before tonight’s debate. But Trump made those claims on Fox News rival CNN. That took the attention off the debate and put it on Trump. Fox News stole some of the attention back with its own statement.
We know one of the smartest businessmen in American history like Trump’s decision, even if he couldn’t spell his name:
Tump looks smart getting away from this slaughterhouse
— Jack Welch (@jack_welch) January 29, 2016
Another mild victory for Trump came when candidates from the “Happy Hour” debate skipped the main event to attend Trump’s event.
We’ll find out Friday whether Trump’s event or Fox News’ was better watched.
In the meantime, here’s what Twitter had to say:
love the folks at CNN & MSNBC saying last night they would cover whatever was newsworthy of Trump event. So far breaking only for ads.
— David Folkenflik (@davidfolkenflik) January 29, 2016
Why @GovMikeHuckabee said he had no concerns about appearing at @realDonaldTrump’s #Iowa event https://t.co/bVKjH73tJw
— CNN Tonight (@CNNTonight) January 29, 2016
My thoughts…no clear winner tonight…a handful of candidates helped themselves… Only poll that matters is the one on Monday night
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) January 29, 2016
#GOPDebate: Little or no discussion on taxes, healthcare, & Federal Reserve.
— Steve Forbes (@SteveForbesCEO) January 29, 2016
Who won the GOP debate?
A: Those who didn't watch it. #GOPDebate— Eduardo Samaniego🗽 (@EddyComunica) January 29, 2016
So, I guess if you held a gun to my head and told me to vote for one of these #GOPDebate candidates, I'd tell you to pull the trigger.
— goldyha.bsky.social (@GoldyHA) January 29, 2016
First impression:
Tier 1: Paul, Bush, Rubio
Tier 2: Christie, Cruz
Tier 3: Kasich, Caron#GOPdebate— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) January 29, 2016
.@krauthammer:"[#GOPDebate] was much more substantive than about any other & there were almost none of the ad hominems & insults."#KellyFile
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 29, 2016
.@krauthammer on tonight’s #GOPDebate: “It was a very spirited debate. It was much more substantive than about any other.” #KellyFile
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) January 29, 2016
JABRONIS #GOPDebate
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) January 29, 2016
There was a Donald Trump-sized void in the Republican debate lineup tonight https://t.co/4NLuIYVIvh | Getty pic.twitter.com/tnIZQKZDkQ
— POLITICO 45 (@politico_45) January 29, 2016
Someone didn’t believe Trump wasn’t showing until it ended:
I’m beginning to think @realDonaldTrump may not actually show up of this debate #GOPDebate
— Arianna Huffington (@ariannahuff) January 29, 2016
Someone thought Kelly was the winner of the night:
https://twitter.com/BonnieBernstein/status/692920468815372289
Someone else didn’t like any of it:
#GOPdebate: Lots of bickering, no real plans to strengthen families or keep us safe. pic.twitter.com/HsojcMQUMq
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 29, 2016
So what do you think: Who won?