@hughhewitt @megynkelly @tedcruz But do really need to hear Trump's name throughout when he's not there?
— Scott (@StillaDemocrat) January 29, 2016
There was always a remote possibility that the GOP candidates and Fox News moderators Thursday night would completely ignore the absence of Donald Trump. Instead, the job to dismiss the Trump controversy and move on was set up from the start, with the job going to Ted Cruz.
Debate opens w a 45 mph slow and straight one, right down the middle to Ted Cruz.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) January 29, 2016
In jest, Ted Cruz takes care of Donald Trump's #GOPDebate role by calling everyone on stage fat and ugly
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) January 29, 2016
Cruz insults all the candidates, says "Now that we've gotten the Donald Trump portion of the debate out of the way…"
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) January 29, 2016
Here comes Cruz: "Everyone on this stage is stupid, fat and ugly. (pause) Now that we've gotten the Donald Trump portion out of the way…"
— Carrie Dann (@CarrieNBCNews) January 29, 2016
This, right here, is why Trump bailing was a risky move
— Alex Burns (@alexburnsNYT) January 29, 2016
Ok, that wasn't bad Cruz #GOPDebate
— bechamilton (@bechamilton) January 29, 2016
Man, they are cracking hard on Donald Trump right now. In Trump’s defense, Megyn Kelly’s hair is scary awesome. I can see why he was afraid.
— Megan McArdle (@asymmetricinfo) January 29, 2016
@TedCruz handles the Trump question with grace, smarts and humor. Elegantly done.
— Monica Crowley (@MonicaCrowley) January 29, 2016
Not everyone thought a dig at Trump was the best way to kick off a debate Trump was boycotting.
On the one hand, Fox HAD to start the debate this way. On the other hand: awkward…….. https://t.co/otJIwTL5zJ
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) January 29, 2016
1st question …. is about Trump! Also, Google's showing even when he's not there, he's there #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/xBbG5aa1dr
— Jonathan Muñoz (@JonathanMNews) January 29, 2016
Trump dominating the debate even though he isn't there probably isn't what his nemeses wanted.
— John Hayward (@Doc_0) January 29, 2016
That was a pretty good imitation of Trump by Cruz, but now he has to explain why he sucked up to Trump for 6 months. #GOPDebate
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) January 29, 2016
Do we really have to start with the elephant not in the room? #GOPDebate
— bechamilton (@bechamilton) January 29, 2016
Second question is about Trump too
— Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) January 29, 2016
likely Trump will loom over the entire two hours.
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) January 29, 2016
Donald Trump isn't at the debate. And he's dominating it
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) January 29, 2016