All eyes were on President Joe Biden during his State of the Union address Tuesday, but his likely 2024 foes were bristling from the sidelines and beta-testing lines of attack for a future election showdown.
Former President Donald Trump was perhaps the most incendiary of Biden's rivals, deploying some of his most brutal signature broadsides, while Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) was largely mum, and others, such as former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, live-tweeted run-of-the-mill criticisms.
STATE OF THE UNION 2023: TRUMP SAYS BIDEN WAS 'NOT A PRETTY SIGHT' IN LIVE COMMENTARY
"He’s leading us to the brink of World War III. And on top of all of that, he’s the most corrupt president in American history," Trump wrote in one of his many Truth Social posts Tuesday evening.
Trump, the only major candidate to declare for 2024 so far, offered a play-by-play analysis and "live-truthed" Biden's address. In typical Trump fashion, he quibbled about Biden's demeanor, at one point writing, "Too much use of the word 'folks!'" and even lashed out at some of his fellow Republicans.
"I notice Mitt Romney and some of the RINOs jumping up and down with applause for the wrong reasons!" he wrote.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) drew wrath from Trump, who said he "looks like Hell."
The former president had praise for three attendees of the speech: Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and even first lady Jill Biden, whom he commended for "looking lovely tonight in a beautiful purple dress, clapping and applauding with great enthusiasm."
At least two other speculated 2024 hopefuls, Haley and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), similarly live-tweeted the big event. Haley's tweetstorm was policy-centric and rebuffed Biden's record on immigration, the economy, foreign policy, drugs, and more.
"Mr. President, stop turning America into China's doormat. Hold Beijing accountable for COVID, stop China from buying American farmland, impose consequences for China's spying, and start acting like the leader of the free world," she tweeted.
Mr. President, stop turning America into China's doormat.
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) February 8, 2023
Hold Beijing accountable for COVID, stop China from buying American farmland, impose consequences for China's spying, and start acting like the leader of the free world.
Haley is widely expected to debut her 2024 campaign next week and become the first heavyweight Republican to challenge Trump, who has begun taking preliminary swipes against her.
Scott, who was in the room for Biden's speech and vowed not to applaud, also focused heavily on policy, juxtaposing the Republican vision for the country with Biden's record. At one point, he repudiated Biden's assertion that Republicans are gearing up to slash funding for Medicare and Social Security.
"While Republicans remain committed to protecting Medicare benefits, Biden is working to cut Medicare. I will continue to fight for more choices and lowered costs for our seniors and those with disabilities who depend on these critical benefits for their care and well-being," Scott tweeted.
While Republicans remain committed to protecting Medicare benefits, Biden is working to cut Medicare. I will continue to fight for more choices and lowered costs for our seniors and those with disabilities who depend on these critical benefits for their care and well-being. #SOTU
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) February 8, 2023
DeSantis, widely viewed as the top threat to Trump in a GOP primary, was quiet on Twitter, appearing to ignore the speech. Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH) and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were also largely mum, though Pompeo ripped Biden's talk about the fentanyl crisis Wednesday.
"President Biden talked about fentanyl but left out an important fact: his border policies are causing much of the crisis. The Biden border policies have been a gift to the cartels," Pompeo tweeted.
President Biden talked about fentanyl but left out an important fact: his border policies are causing much of the crisis.
— Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) February 8, 2023
The Biden border policies have been a gift to the cartels.
Former Gov. Larry Hogan (R-MD) lamented the divided state of the country and implored Biden to pursue bipartisan cooperation with Congress.
"America is more divided and fed up than ever," and "more rhetoric won't fix any of these urgent challenges or get our country back on track," Hogan said in a statement. "To fulfill his campaign promise, I urge President Biden to work with Congress to find common sense solutions to these urgent challenges."
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Biden himself has not announced his 2024 plans but is widely expected to within the coming weeks. Much of his address before the joint session of Congress felt like a preview of a reelection bid and drew a sharp contrast with Republicans on various hot-button topics.
Despite unveiling a so-called "Unity Agenda," Biden's speech quickly turned confrontational and drew jeers and rage from Republicans in the House chamber for directing sharp criticism at them as well as advocacy for liberal policies.