US Vice President Kamala Harris and former US President Donald Trump during the second presidential debate at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (Getty Images)
Another House GOP lawmaker went even further, calling the debate a "dumpster fire" for the former president.
"It was one of the worst bloodlettings I’ve ever seen," the lawmaker said. "But the thing is, too, the optics itself – Trump standing next to Kamala Harris, he looks old. He didn’t look old against Biden…and that, you can’t fix."
While most Republicans shrugged off the debate's ultimate effect on the election, that lawmaker worried, "I think it’s gonna sway the people in the middle, who matter."
A third Republican said "she certainly got under his skin" and their fellow conference members agreed "she did well."
GOP lawmakers who spoke with Fox News Digital argued Trump’s policies and record are far stronger than Harris’ and were dismayed that they weren’t a larger part of his performance.
HARRIS TELLS TRUMP HE'S 'NOT RUNNING AGAINST JOE BIDEN' DURING DEBATE
"While he made many [good] points, she was able to slide out of every one of those arguments," the third Republican said. "We need to stop treating her like she’s Joe Biden, someone who can’t get her thoughts out, and treat her more like Hillary Clinton."
A fourth GOP lawmaker simply said when asked for their reaction to the debate, "I prefer not to answer questions about cats and dogs and immigrants."
Speaker Mike Johnson praised Trump's performance, as did the vast majority of Republicans who spoke publicly. (Getty Images)
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who helped Trump prepare for the debate, told reporters on Wednesday that the ex-president "did a great job."
"Look, the debate was about immigration and the economy. Those are the issues where President Trump dominates with voters," he said.
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Trump himself posted on his Truth Social app just after the debate, "People are saying BIG WIN tonight!"
When reached for comment on this story, the Trump campaign pointed Fox News Digital to its statement on the debate from Tuesday night, which said in part, "President Trump delivered a masterful debate performance tonight, prosecuting Kamala Harris’ abysmal record of failure that has hurt Americans for the last 4 years."
"We saw President Trump lay out his bold vision of America and how he would continue to build upon the successes of his first term by supercharging the economy, securing the border, and stopping crime from ravaging communities across the country," the statement said.
"Conversely, Kamala’s vision of America was a dark reminder of the oppressive, big government policies of Joe Biden that she wants to continue."
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-republicans-lament-trumps-terrible-debate-performance-let-her-get-under-his-skin