Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and California Governor Gavin Newsom will face off in a televised debate on Thursday night in Alpharetta, Georgia, Fox News has confirmed.
With Fox host Sean Hannity set to moderate, “The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate” will be a culmination of the two governors’ years-long rivalry, pitting the philosophies of the left and right against one another — and potentially exposing hidden players in the battle for the presidency.
“FOX News Channel’s (FNC) Sean Hannity will present an exclusive live 90-minute televised debate between Florida Governor and GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis (R) and California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) on Thursday, November 30th in Alpharetta, GA,” read a press release from Fox News Network. “DeSantis vs. Newsom: The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate will be presented on FNC from 9-10:30 PM/ET during a two-hour edition of Hannity and will also be simulcast on FOX News Radio. Hannity will provide live reaction with a panel of guests from 10:30-11:00 PM/ET.”
Fox’s statement further indicated that the debate — which will not feature a live audience — will focus on issues including the economy, immigration, and crime, as well as each governor’s “ambitions for the nation.”
(WATCH: Gov. Ron DeSantis on the PBD Podcast)
The idea of a televised face-off between DeSantis and Newsom was first proposed by the California governor late last year when he called out DeSantis’ “overriding need” for attention. “I’ll bring my hair gel. You bring your hairspray,” Newsom taunted. “Name the time before Election Day.”
Hey @GovRonDeSantis, clearly you're struggling, distracted, and busy playing politics with people’s lives. Since you have only one overriding need — attention –let's take this up & debate. I’ll bring my hair gel. You bring your hairspray. Name the time before Election Day. @CNN https://t.co/vTJHQxfArW
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 16, 2022
After months of trading jabs (as well as a notable instance of Newsom attempting to bring kidnapping and human trafficking charges against DeSantis), the two governors finally agreed to a debate hosted by Fox News in August.
Ron DeSantis is currently engaged in a heated competition for second place in the Republican primary field, neck-and-neck with former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. However, both trail frontrunner and former President Donald Trump by a significant margin with less than 50 days until the critical Iowa Caucuses.
Gavin Newsom, meanwhile, is not running for president — at least not officially. But according to many of his critics, DeSantis included, Newsom has been engaged in a subtle shadow campaign to position himself as President Joe Biden’s successor, either in 2024 or 2028. Even though Newsom has repeatedly denied these rumors, DeSantis recently cautioned voters against “assuming” that Biden will be the Democratic nominee by the time of next year’s convention.
Along with their presidential ambitions, the two governors are also expected to debate their radically opposing stances on abortion, free speech, LGBTQ rights, and state education, among other points.
Hannity intends to avoid the “bells and whistles” of traditional network moderators and allow the participants ample time to talk. In the end, he expects that “it will be crystal clear that there’s a political divide in this country.”
“I don’t even see middle ground here,” he said. “I just want the audience to see these opposing views and come to their own conclusions.”
“DeSantis vs. Newsom: The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate” will air live on Fox News Thursday, November 30 at 9:00 pm ET.
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