Seven presidential candidates looked to gain momentum during Wednesday night’s debate as the absent frontrunner loomed large. And drivers are being asked to park outside due to a major recall affecting millions of vehicles. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Sept. 28, 2023. 

Republican candidates spar on multiple issue during second debate

Seven presidential hopefuls took the stage Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California for the second Republican primary debate broadcast on the Fox News channel. The candidates tackled issues such as immigration, the war in Ukraine, China and the auto workers strike. While there was sparring between those on stage, the party’s frontrunner — former President Donald Trump, who chose not to attend the debate — became a target.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie were among those criticizing the former president for skipping the debate as he did with the first one last month.

“Where’s Joe Biden? He’s completely missing in action from leadership, and you know who else is missing in action? Donald Trump is missing in action. He should be on this stage tonight. He owes it to you to defend his record,” DeSantis said.

“Donald, I know you’re watching. you can’t help yourself. I know you’re watching, OK? And you’re not here tonight, not because of polls, and not because of your indictments. you’re not here tonight, because you’re afraid of being on the stage and defending your record,” Christie said.

Regarding immigration, Christie said he wants immigrants in this country to fill six million vacant jobs but only if they come to the U.S. legally, criticizing the Biden administration for not enforcing laws and former President Trump for not completing the border wall.

Entrepeneur Vivek Ramaswamy was targeted for his company’s connections to China and his recent arrival on the social media app TikTok.

“We need to win elections and part of how we win elections is reaching the next generation of young Americans where they are,” Ramaswamy said.

“This is infuriating because TikTok is one of the most dangerous social media apps that we could have and what you’ve got – I honestly, every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber for what you say,” former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley said.

The candidates also voiced their opinions on the United States’ support for Ukraine as Congress debates additional funding. Governor DeSantis said it’s in America’s interest to end the war and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott arguing the focus should be in degrading the Russian military.

“By degrading the Russian military, we actually keep our homeland safer, we keep our troops at home and we all understand Article 5 of NATO,” Scott said.

The third Republican debate is set for Nov. 8 in Miami. Advisers to former President Trump say he will not be attending that one either.

Trump skips debate to speak at Michigan plant, criticizes Biden’s E-V plans

Former President Trump opted out of the debate and instead went to the battleground state of Michigan to tour an auto parts supplier and speak on the ongoing autoworkers strike.

Trump’s speech largely consisted of criticizing President Joe Biden’s electric vehicle overhaul and the costs associated with it. Tump told the autoworkers that a strike mattered little when the entire industry is on the line. He said the full-throttle shift to E-V will kill jobs.

Biden was in Michigan on Tuesday, Sept. 26, with autoworkers as they are about two weeks into their strike.

While both the Republican frontrunner and the current president made their cases for the autoworkers, the UAW has yet to endorse a candidate for the 2024 presidential election. 

House Republican holding first Biden impeachment inquiry hearing

The impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden will begin Thursday. House Republicans will hold the first public hearing where they say the focus will be presenting the findings “from months of investigations.”

Chairman James Comer says House Republicans have uncovered a trove of evidence showing President Biden has abused his power in public office. Critics including the White House claim there is no evidence.

Meanwhile, the House Ways and Means Committee released a 700-page report on their investigation into the president’s son, Hunter Biden, on Wednesday, Sept. 27.

X makes cuts to disinformation team

Straight Arrow News reported last month that X was hiring for its safety and elections team to better protect the platform from fake accounts and threats heading into a presidential election year.

But as first reported by the tech-focused outlet The Information, X is laying positions on its Election Integrity Team. The website said four positions were let go.

“Oh you mean the “Election Integrity” Team that was undermining election integrity? Yeah, they’re gone,” X owner Elom Musk posted to the social media site.

The cuts come at a time when Musk is being heavily scrutinized. A top European Union official said this week that the platform is the largest promoter of disinformation and fake news. Musk has said X does not promote hate speech but is a free speech platform.

Kia, Hyundai recall more than 3.3 million vehicles over

Kia and Hyundai are issuing a massive recall involving more than 3.3 million vehicles. The automakers are telling owners to park outside because the cars could catch fire.

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the anti-lock brake control module can leak fluid and cause an electrical short which could cause a fire while vehicles are being driven or parked.

Hyundai is recalling 13 different models from 2010-2015. Kia is recalling a dozen models from 2010-2019. Kia and Hyundai say they will send affected vehicle owners notification letters starting in mid-November. Dealers will replace the anti-lock brake fuse free of charge.

1858 photo of Abraham Lincoln donated to his museum in Illinois

A photo of Abraham Lincoln from 165 years ago with quite a backstory is being donated to his museum in Illinois. The 1858 image was taken during Lincoln’s campaign for the senate.

As the story goes, the future president presented a copy of the photo to Charles Lame after the man was severely injured while testing a cannon for Lincoln’s campaign rally. The photo remained with Lame’s descendants until last year when they decided to donate it.