Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie opened the second GOP primary debate by taking shots at former President Donald Trump. Minutes after the debate began on Wednesday, Christie was asked if Trump's populism was to blame for a possible government shutdown.

Trump quickly brushed off the weak debate jab. But Christie is still pushing the nickname, and asserting, laughably, “I live in his head.”

The Trump campaign called on the Republican National Committee to cancel the “boring and inconsequential" debates.

Chris Christie has doubled down on his “Donald Duck” jibe against Donald Trump, claiming he “lives in the head” of the former president. Using language often employed by Mr Trump, the Republican candidate took aim at his former ally on Thursday after mocking him during the GOP debate on Wednesday night.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. - Ron DeSantis finally went after Donald Trump by name during Wednesday's debate, saying he has been "missing in action" in addressing the nation's problems - and in debating his Republican rivals.

First-time candidate Vivek Ramaswamy was at the center of several heated exchanges, including one over his business ties to China that stemmed from a question about why he recently joined Chinese-owned TikTok: “Honestly every time I hear you,

DeSantis went after Trump with his first speaking opportunity at Wednesday night’s debate, joining former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in lambasting the ex-president’s absence.

Donald Trump's Republican rivals will face off on Wednesday at their second presidential primary debate, with everyone on stage hoping for a breakout moment that could change the trajectory of the lopsided primary contest dominated by the former president.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took direct aim at Donald Trump, who was noticeably absent for Wednesday’s second Republican debate, accusing the former president of being afraid to defend his record and “ducking” his party opponents.

Several of Donald Trump’s rivals stepped up their attacks against him in the second Republican presidential debate, urgently trying to dent the

"They have to stop the debates," the former president demanded. "Because it is just bad for the Republican Party." On Wednesday night, Trump was directly challenged by the other Republican candidates for skipping his second debate.