Sparks flew Wednesday night as Republican Party presidential candidates clashed over various issues in the fourth GOP debate. Central to the discourse were parental rights, anti-semitism, and free speech, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie taking center stage.

DeSantis challenged Christie over his stance on transgender treatments for minors. The debate heated up when co-moderator Megyn Kelly pressed Christie about a law he signed as governor in 2017, which required schools to accept a child’s preferred gender identity, even if the minor’s parents objected. Christie defended himself, stating he always stood up for parents’ rights to make decisions for their children.

However, DeSantis strongly countered this, asserting, “You do not have, as a parent, you do not have the right to abuse your kids.” He argued that the irreversible procedures equated to child abuse and cited Sweden’s decision to ban such treatments after witnessing the damage they caused. His remarks generated the loudest applause of the night.

The debate also saw Nikki Haley, former governor of South Carolina, under fire from DeSantis for her opposition to the bill banning transgender treatments for minors. DeSantis criticized her past decision to kill a bill that would prevent men from entering girls’ bathrooms, arguing that it was wrong and that children needed protection.

Meanwhile, anti-semitism in educational institutions was another hot topic. Haley condemned college presidents over their handling of anti-semitic incidents, describing their actions as ‘disgusting.’ She urged universities to stand against hate speech and provide a safe environment for all students.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and author, also joined the fray, criticizing Haley over her stance on free speech online. He disagreed with her proposal to tie government-issued IDs to online speech, arguing that it threatened freedom of expression.

Christie didn’t hold back either, lashing out at Ramaswamy, calling him the “most obnoxious blowhard in America.” Christie’s outburst underlined the tension that had built up during the debate, reflecting the high stakes and differing viewpoints within the party.

As the debate ended, it was clear that these presidential candidates, while all Republicans, have distinct views on these critical issues. As the race heats up, we can expect more intense debates, providing voters a clear understanding of each candidate’s stance on these significant matters.