Everyone probably suspected on an intuitive level that Trump would win Thursday night’s debate somehow, but now that the carnival is over, it’s absolutely clear he did. Here are the reasons why:
1.) Trumpism was the tone of the night.
Donald Trump won the debate: https://t.co/H3VQCHqXpp pic.twitter.com/9Xq1OwFRuz
— Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) January 29, 2016
2.) Second-placer Ted Cruz repeatedly mimicked Trump, hoping to absorb his dominance.
Cruz Impersonates Trump: 'Everyone On This Stage Is Stupid, Fat, and Ugly' (VIDEO) @TPM https://t.co/AU6UKFt8su
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) January 29, 2016It didn’t exactly pay off.
3.) Trump’s absence kept him on the minds of viewers and candidates.
.@megynkelly calls @realDonaldTrump the elephant not in the room tonight. #GOPDebate
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) January 29, 2016Jeb Bush makes the mistake of checking his phone during the debate pic.twitter.com/0O5WabPBiy
— Cafe (@cafedotcom) January 29, 20164.) Trump cleaned up in mentions.
Share of convo. around GOP candidates since #GOPDebate start:
-@RealDonaldTrump 37%
-@TedCruz 18%
-@MarcoRubio 12% pic.twitter.com/6J0UKbBzNo
— Twitter Government (@gov) January 29, 2016