The GOP debate opener on ABC Saturday was cringeworthy to say the least, as Dr. Ben Carson missed his opening cue and was then joined by Donald Trump as other candidates passed them by during introductions.
Carson, not hearing his introduction, paused at the edge of the stage in wait. After a few awkward moments, he then appeared to start heading to the stage, but stopped when Sen. Ted Cruz's name was called.
Trump, too, failed to hear his cue and joined the
Carson bottleneck, Mediaite noted. Sen. Marco Rubio then side stepped the pair and made his way to the stage, as did Jeb Bush (with a tap on Trump's shoulder on his way).
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Republican candidates," host Martha Raddatz said, with Carson and Trump still waiting in the wings and the moderators seemingly forgetting Ohio Gov. John Kasich altogether.
Carson and Trump finally came to the stage and took their places behind their respective podiums, but Kasich was still waiting.
"I can introduce
Kasich?" Carson asked, according to Politico.
"Yes, yes, we're going to introduce Ohio governor John Kasich," the moderators said as he came out.
The Republican debate traffic jam proved to be a hot topic on social media.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.