Republican presidential hopefuls sought to capture the attention of conservative voters and divert some spotlight from former President Donald Trump in the recent Republican presidential debate aired on Fox News.

While Trump chose not to attend the debate, he appeared in an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, which was shared on X (formerly Twitter).

Despite his absence, Trump remained a central focus for the candidates on stage, including notable figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Senator Tim Scott, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Vivek Ramaswamy, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.

During the debate, candidates were asked to indicate their support for Trump as the 2024 Republican nominee, even if he faced a criminal conviction. All candidates raised their hands, except for Hutchinson and later Christie. Christie criticized normalizing such conduct, stating it's beneath the office of the president.

DeSantis, known for his role as Florida Governor, criticized Trump's federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the economic consequences of lockdowns. He emphasized his opposition to lockdowns and his support for individual states' policies.

While DeSantis did not attack fellow Republicans, he largely focused on critiquing President Joe Biden's approach and laid out his vision for tackling key issues.

Amidst shifting strategies, DeSantis distanced himself from a PAC memo suggesting he should defend Trump. He emphasized his commitment to core issues and critiqued Biden's policies, while avoiding direct criticism of Trump.

Trump confirmed his absence from the debate via his social media platform Truth Social, citing his leading position in recent polls.

Despite ongoing legal issues, Trump's support remains high in polls, maintaining a significant lead over other Republican candidates. DeSantis, once considered a strong contender, currently holds a distant second place in the race.