Family, religion and forceful messaging: What GOP rivals posted right before debate

GOP presidential candidates took to social media to show their final preparations and share thoughts ahead of the first Republican presidential primary debate Wednesday. 

Several candidates have posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, in the last couple of hours before the first debate starts in Milwaukee, with some sharing their family, some referencing religion and some showing aggressiveness ahead of the faceoff. 

Vivek Ramaswamy, who has been rising in polling recently to place third or even second in a couple polls, posted a video of his family, showing he and his wife talking with their two young children. 

“Some final tips from our consultants. Christie beware!” Ramaswamy tweeted, referring to former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, another candidate who will be present at the debate. 

Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.), who has often discussed his religion on the campaign trail, posted lyrics from “The Blessing” on his profile, writing, “May His presence go before you, behind you, and beside you.”

“The Lord has never left my side, and tonight will be no different. Victory comes through faith. That’s where I’m speaking from tonight,” Scott added on to the post. 

Scott also posted a video of himself in the gym in which he mentions a Bible verse, saying that people need to leave things in God’s hands, including “debate, challenges, hard times or frankly victories.” 

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum emphasized his background being from a small town as he has noted while campaigning, saying “A small town kid from North Dakota is about to take the debate stage. THAT’S America. Tune in!” 

Meanwhile, Casey DeSantis, the first lady of Florida and wife of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, posted an ad from her husband’s campaign on X and called for taking proactive steps to enact change. 

“’For far too long this government has been imposing its will on us… …now it’s time that we impose our will on it!’ LET’S GO!!!” she wrote. 

Christie tweeted just “Rock and roll” with a link to a livestream.

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley simply wrote, “Game on” with emojis of a fist and an American flag.