In a fiery and at times chaotic second debate for the Republican 2024 presidential nomination, the absence of former President Donald Trump was palpable. The seven candidates left on the stage seemed determined to chip away at Trump's overwhelming lead in the polls, but their efforts fell short of upending the political reality of his dominance. Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, in particular, took a direct swipe at Trump, accusing him of being "missing in action" and criticizing his record on the national debt. This moment drew applause from the audience and signaled a shift in DeSantis's strategy, as he had previously embraced Trump's endorsement.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie also made his disdain for Trump clear, using the debate as an opportunity to attack the absent frontrunner. He suggested that Trump was afraid and mockingly referred to him as "Donald Duck," drawing boos from the audience. Other candidates took a more nuanced approach, focusing on Trump's platform and policy decisions. Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized Trump's desire to centralize power in the federal government and vowed to give power back to the states. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley criticized Trump's approach to China, arguing that he focused too much on trade and neglected broader security issues.

Immigration was another contentious issue during the debate. A clip of former President Ronald Reagan calling for amnesty for undocumented immigrants played before the candidates were asked about their immigration policies. The responses highlighted the rightward shift of the Republican Party, with candidates distancing themselves from Reagan's stance. Christie, who had previously supported a similar proposal, now argued that the US was no longer in a position to offer amnesty and pledged to send the National Guard to the US-Mexico border on his first day in office.

Overall, the debate underscored the challenges faced by the Republican candidates in trying to gain ground on Trump. While there were moments of confrontation and criticism, Trump's absence loomed large, and his lead in the polls remained largely unchallenged. The race for the Republican nomination seemed to be a pitched battle for second place, with candidates jostling for attention and trying to differentiate themselves from one another. The debate did little to shake up the status quo, leaving many wondering if and when Trump would enter the fray.