clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Help keep Vox free We're 71% of the way to reaching our goal for our September campaign to support our clear and accessible policy coverage. Will you help us get there by making a gift today?

Filed under:

  • Stream
A photo collage features images of the eight GOP candidates who will appear at the first Republican presidential debate.

The first GOP debate: August 23, 2023

Contributors: Vox Staff

The Republican Party held its first presidential debate on Wednesday, August 23, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The GOP primary race is crowded, with 14 declared candidates vying for the chance to challenge President Joe Biden in 2024. As many as 11 of the declared candidates met the standards to participate in Wednesday’s debate, with some using wild gimmicks to qualify, though the Republican National Committee confirmed eight participants: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

The party’s frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, opted out in favor of counter-programming: He gave an interview to Tucker Carlson.

The two-hour event was hosted by Fox News, with anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum moderating. It aired from 9 to 11 pm ET. Follow here for the latest news and updates.

13 Total Updates Since
Jul 18, 2023, 2:50pm EDT
  • September 5

    Vivek Ramaswamy and the lie of the “model minority”

    By Prachi Gupta

    The Asian American candidate is peddling a dangerous message.

  • August 29

    Who is running for president in 2024? Meet the GOP candidates

    By Nicole Narea and Li Zhou

    The GOP field is growing slightly less crowded as Trump maintains his dominance.

  • August 25

    What Ron DeSantis and Elizabeth Warren have in common

    By Ben Jacobs

    DeSantis’s debate performance illustrated what makes him most vulnerable in his quest to become the Republican nominee.

  • August 25

    What the GOP debate revealed about Republican health care hypocrisy

    By Dylan Scott

    The GOP loves Big Government in health care — if it’s blocking abortion or trans care.

  • August 24

    Even Elon Musk can’t fully wreck Twitter’s one great superpower

    By Peter Kafka

    "A place to make fun of what you see on TV" is less compelling than "the global town square." But it’s more accurate.

  • August 24

    Nikki Haley was the only woman on the debate stage. She capitalized on it.

    By Li Zhou

    "If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman."

  • August 24

    The first GOP debate reveals a disturbing level of climate change denial

    By Rebecca Leber

    The party’s tactics to deny and deflect reality are more polarizing than ever.

  • August 24

    2 winners and 3 losers from the first Republican debate

    By Christian Paz

    Without Donald Trump onstage, the other Republicans seeking the nomination scrambled (and struggled) to stand out.

  • August 24

    Republicans showed their hands — and Trump is still holding aces

    By Nicole Narea

    The charges against Donald Trump are defining the GOP primary. His opponents don’t want to talk about them.

  • August 24

    Trump’s Tucker Carlson interview was a taste of the chaos to come

    By Zack Beauchamp

    The most important moment of the night wasn’t on the Republican debate stage.

  • August 23

    Everything to know about the first Republican presidential debate

    By Li Zhou

    Trump won’t be in attendance, raising questions about how other candidates will try to seize their moment.

  • August 22

    All the candidates onstage for the first GOP debate, explained

    By Christian Paz

    Trump won’t be onstage, but there will surely be a show put on.

  • July 18

    The wild gimmicks Republicans are trying to get on the debate stage

    By Li Zhou

    It’s everything from gift cards to a sweepstakes for Messi soccer tickets.

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for Vox Recommends

Get curated picks of the best Vox journalism to read, watch, and listen to every week, from our editors.