SIMI VALLEY, Ca. — A presidential debate in 2015 is only half the battle. The reaction on social media can also tell the tale of who did great and who flopped the debate.
CNN’s Republican presidential debate on Wednesday night was no different.
Here are six of the biggest social media moments:
Carly Fiorina takes on Donald Trump’s remarks
Carly Fiorina once again showed herself willing and able to go toe to toe with the leading candidates, taking Donald Trump to task for earlier comments he made about her.
A Rolling Stone article quoted Trump as saying, “Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that?”
Fiorina confronted him about those remarks on the debate stage in Simi Valley, California.
It was the most tweeted moment from the debate.
.@CarlyFiorina responds to @realDonaldTrump's comment about her face #CNNDebate http://t.co/jcEf6bW9ja #GOPDebate http://t.co/m0eDU5NvhT
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) September 17, 2015
Carly Fiorina is an ice cold shade queen debate princess and I'm in love with and terrified of her.
— Erin 🎶Gloria🎶 Ryan (@morninggloria) September 17, 2015
TRUMP: No man can defeat me
FIORINA: I am no man
— Matt Ford (@fordm) September 17, 2015
Bush admits to smoking marijuana
It wasn’t exactly an “I didn’t inhale” moment, but still quite the admission from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
.@JebBush: "40 years ago, I smoked marijuana" http://t.co/Oiiv58vZav #CNNDebate #GOPdebate http://t.co/DbopstGreF
— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) September 17, 2015
And he had an apology that his team tweeted right after.
Sorry Mom
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) September 17, 2015
JEB BUSH just admitted to smoking pot!!! Barbara Bush is rolling her eyes!
— Stacey Dash (@REALStaceyDash) September 17, 2015
The dog & pony show on pot legalization: nice to see Paul & Bush scuffle over it. Christie typically going to 30 yr old talking points.
— Thomas Keister (@thomaskeister) September 17, 2015
The many faces of “The Donald”
Donald Trump, per usual, said a lot during the debate, but the faces he made throughout told the tale.
My thoughts on the #CNNDebate can be summed up with Trump's emoji faces pic.twitter.com/VZlGzbEQ1z
— Khal Draghoe (@brownandbella) September 17, 2015
Bush demands Trump apologize
Bush and Trump had several moments going head-to-head, most notably when the former governor wanted Trump to apologize for remarks he made about his wife, Columba Bush, in a deleted tweet: “#JebBush has to like the Mexican Illegals because of his wife.”
.@realDonaldTrump refuses to apologize to @JebBush's wife @ColumbaBush #CNNDebate http://t.co/mgAxgYG7Vn http://t.co/HMeEIxcsJx
— CNN (@CNN) September 17, 2015
Trump wasn’t about to apologize, and Columba responded.
I came to America because I love this country. @realDonaldTrump is wrong
— Columba (@ColumbaBush) September 17, 2015
Carly Fiorina’s Planned Parenthood moment
The audience erupted in applause after Carly Fiorina made mention of the recent hidden camera videos targeting Planned Parenthood.
.@CarlyFiorina had strong remarks on #PlannedParenthood. 1 hour left. Watch #CNNDebate live: http://t.co/mgAxgYG7Vn http://t.co/00HImvRCvI
— CNN (@CNN) September 17, 2015
This moment ranked 2nd on Facebook for the night.
Carly just gave the best statement on pro-life from a GOP Prez contender since Reagan. #GOPDebate #PlannedParenthood
— Henry Olsen (@henryolsenEPPC) September 17, 2015
Not everyone believes in God and religion has NO PLACE in a women's medical choices. Keep it to yourself. #PlannedParenthood
— Reneé Cole (@ReneeColeNYC) September 17, 2015
Bush vs. Trump on the most recent Bush president
Trump laid into former president George W. Bush, and the younger Bush defended his brother’s record.
.@JebBush: "As it relates to my brother … He kept us safe" http://t.co/jcEf6bW9ja #CNNDebate #GOPdebate http://t.co/0yUiiyOb51
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) September 17, 2015
Jeb on W: "My brother kept us safe." YUGE applause line. Not the crowd to Bush-bash, Mr. Trump.
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) September 17, 2015
trump has now insulted bush’s wife and brother
— stringsays (@stringsays) September 17, 2015
Something that didn’t take place on the debate stage
A few people on social media were distracted from the actual debate, wondering who the young man was sitting behind Jake Tapper.
Can we ask this guy his views? Or primarily what his ideal first date is? #GOPDebate #HotDebateGuy pic.twitter.com/goMc8kCy5Y
— Sam Haines (@ShirleyMansions) September 17, 2015
Everyone is saying #HotDebateGuy is named Greg Caruso and I'm just saying Kelly Caruso has a really nice ring to it #GOPDebate #CNNDebate
— Kelly Fitzpatrick (@KellyxxFitz) September 17, 2015
Even Buzzfeed got into the act, posting a story about him.
Well, CNN got in touch with him and his name is Greg Caruso of Los Angeles, an aspiring filmmaker who is not on Facebook or Twitter (and sorry, he declined to disclose his relationship status.
He first found out about the attention he was getting via texts from his friends and finds the whole thing to be funny.
“It’s pretty hilarious,” he said. “Social media can focus on some guy at the debate instead of the debate.”
As for the debate itself, the 24 year old is a fan of Ronald Reagan and the younger President Bush, but is not ready to decide which candidate he likes best (not necessarily Jeb Bush, either).
“I think out of everyone, (Bush) improved the most from the first debate,” he said.
“Carly Fiorina did a great job and was in her element. That was the highlight of the debate to watch her. She held her own.”