IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

How Donald Trump Dominated Social Media During No-Show Debate

Trump easily dominated the other top names in terms of Google search rankings and a net gain in Twitter followers.
Image: U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a veteran's rally in Des Moines
U.S. Republican presidential candidate businessman Donald Trump speaks at a veteran's rally in Des Moines, Iowa January 28, 2016. Rick Wilking / Reuters

Donald Trump may have been a no-show at Thursday night's Republican presidential debate in Iowa, but the GOP front-runner handily won the social media game.

Trump trounced the other top contenders — Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson and Jeb Bush — in terms of Google search rankings and a net gain in Twitter followers.

As the debate kicked off at 9 p.m. ET, Trump soared on Google's ranking.

Trump also nabbed more than 10,750 new followers during the seventh Republican showdown: