DeSantis and Newsom face off in fiery debate on Fox News

The governors of Florida and California, who represent contrasting approaches to governing and the pandemic, faced off in a fiery debate on Fox News on Tuesday night. The debate, moderated by Sean Hannity, was the first-of-its-kind between the two potential contenders for the White House in 2024 or beyond.

The debate covered topics such as immigration, crime, education, and the economy, as well as the performance of President Biden and former President Trump. The two governors also traded personal insults and accusations, with DeSantis calling Newsom a "failed governor" and Newsom calling DeSantis a "Trump wannabe".

DeSantis, a Republican, touted his state's low taxes, high job growth, and freedom from Covid-19 restrictions. He criticized Newsom, a Democrat, for imposing harsh lockdowns, high taxes, and regulations that he said hurt businesses and workers. He also accused Newsom of being soft on illegal immigration, crime, and homelessness.

Newsom, who recently survived a recall election, defended his state's record on fighting the pandemic, protecting the environment, and advancing social justice. He attacked DeSantis for his handling of the Covid-19 crisis, which he said led to thousands of deaths and hospitalizations. He also accused DeSantis of being a puppet of Trump, who he said incited the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol.

The debate was watched by 5.46 million viewers, according to Nielsen ratings, making it the most-watched program on cable news on Tuesday night. It also generated a lot of buzz on social media, with both supporters and critics of the governors weighing in on their performance.

The debate showcased the differences and the ambitions of the two governors, who are seen as rising stars in their respective parties and possible rivals for the presidency in the future. It also highlighted the deep divisions and the polarization in the country, as the governors appealed to their base and clashed on almost every issue.

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