In Wednesday's third Republican presidential debate held in Miami, the stage was narrowed down to five candidates, with frontrunner Donald Trump opting not to attend as promised. The lineup included Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) of Florida, former Gov. Nikki Haley (R) of South Carolina, Sen. Tim Scott (R) of South Carolina, former Gov. Chris Christie (R) of New Jersey, and tech-entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy from Ohio. This debate showcased a diverse group of candidates, with two Asian-Americans, one male and one female, one African-American, and two white males, challenging the notion that the GOP lacks diversity.

However, the seemingly harmonious display of diversity quickly turned into a contentious affair. During a discussion on the Israel-Hamas conflict, tensions arose between Haley and Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy took a swipe at Haley's tenure as the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under President Trump, asking if she wanted someone like Dick Cheney in heels. In response, Haley retorted that her heels were five inches high and added, "I don't wear them unless I can run in them." The clash further intensified when Ramaswamy criticized Haley for her daughter having a TikTok account, prompting an angry response from Haley, who defended her daughter and called Ramaswamy "scum."

Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin made a surprise announcement on Thursday, declaring that he would not seek reelection to the Senate in 2024. However, in his video news release, Manchin hinted at the possibility of a third-party presidential bid. He expressed his intention to travel the country and gauge interest in building a movement to bridge political divides and unite Americans. Manchin's decision opens speculation about a potential "No Labels Party" ticket, often paired with former Gov. Jon Huntsman (R) of Utah.

The vacant Senate seat has already become a battleground for political rivals. Gov. Jim Justice (R) of West Virginia, who supports the liberal Biden agenda, emphasized that Mooney is the only true conservative candidate who will resist the Biden administration's policies. In response, Justice thanked Manchin for his years of public service, while subtly criticizing Mooney, who has spent most of his life and career in neighboring Maryland.

Former President Donald Trump found himself in the midst of a civil fraud trial in New York, where he and his companies stand accused of inflating the value of their real estate holdings to obtain favorable bank loans. During the trial, Trump labeled the case a "political witch hunt" and accused New York State Attorney General Letitia James of being the real fraud. The trial has proven challenging for Trump, as he has clashed with State Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron, who has reprimanded him for making outlandish statements and failing to directly answer factual questions.

While Trump faces legal hurdles, recent polls indicate that his popularity remains resilient. A New York Times-Sienna College Poll shows Trump leading against President Joe Biden in several key battleground states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. Biden only holds a slim lead in Wisconsin. The poll suggests that if Trump can secure victories in these critical states, his path to the White House in 2024 could become a reality.

Amidst the political turmoil, attention is also turning to Gov. Andy Beshear (D) of Kentucky, who won his second term in office. Beshear's ability to secure two victories in the traditionally conservative state of Kentucky has raised speculation about his potential as a presidential candidate in 2028, or even 2024. As a moderate Democrat with a strong political background, Beshear's success in Kentucky could potentially pave the way for Democrats to secure other swing states in the South, such as Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.