Donald Trump’s debate rivals, gains on Twitter

Trump was the most searched candidate on Google during the debate, according to the search engine, which co-sponsored the event with Fox News. Trump also dominated Twitter mentions among all candidates during the debate, according to social media monitor Brandwatch. 

The billionaire businessman received roughly 130,000 Twitter mentions during the debate.  Trump commanded 36 percent of the Twitter traffic during Thursday night’s debate, according to the social media company.

Trump, who boycotted the event after Fox News refused to remove Megyn Kelly as anchor hosted his own event in Des Moines, a fund-raiser for veterans. He was rewarded with positive social media buzz. After he took the stage on Thursday night at his event at Drake University, a group of protesters chanted loudly.

Trump responded: “I love the protesters in the big arena because the cameras (don’t move away from) my face.” That quip won him praise on social media, and his Twitter sentiment measured largely positive during the event, according to social media analytics firm Zoomph. 

“An unbelievable night in Iowa with our great Veterans!” Donald Trump (@realDonaldTrump) tweeted. “We raised $6,000,000.00 while the politicians talked!”