Trump says he will skip GOP presidential primary debates

On Sunday, Former President Donald Trump confirmed his intention to avoid the upcoming first Republican presidential primary debate on Wednesday, as well as potentially other future debates. Trump expressed that the public already knows who he is and highlighted his success during his presidency, hence the reason for not participating in the debates. Although his spokesman did not specify if the boycott would include all primary debates or only the currently scheduled ones, Trump has been vocal about his view, stating little advantage in debating with his GOP rivals.

Given Trump’s substantial lead in the race, he questioned the value of engaging with candidates trailing significantly in the polls. In a prior interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, Trump voiced his concern about being targeted with questions from candidates polling much lower. He has also frequently criticized Fox as a “hostile network,” alleging it wouldn’t treat him fairly.

Trump’s decision comes after discussing various alternative plans to the debates, such as an interview with ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, making a last-minute appearance in Milwaukee, or offering live commentary on his Truth Social site. Other options included drawing viewers from the debate by calling into different networks or holding a rally.

Fox’s attempts to persuade Trump to attend were unsuccessful, as he remained unconvinced, especially given concerns about ratings. Trump’s choice not to attend the debate has been met with criticism from rivals, with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie labeling him “a coward” if he doesn’t show up. The DeSantis campaign has also emphasized that no candidate is entitled to the nomination and that they must earn it.

Despite the attacks, Trump maintained that his decision was not about courage but intelligence, as he saw minimal benefits in participating. He also stated that he would not sign a pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee if he loses, a requirement set by the Republican National Committee.

The decision to skip the debate is not unprecedented for Trump, as he has done so in previous campaigns. In 2016, he opted out of the final GOP primary debate before the Iowa caucuses and hosted a fundraiser instead. He also withdrew from a 2020 general election debate against now-President Joe Biden.

Trump’s absence from Wednesday’s debate is not the only one expected, as several lesser-known candidates might not meet the participation requirements set by the RNC. Those who have qualified include Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, Mike Pence, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, and Tim Scott.

The RNC’s conditions for participation not only involve fundraising and polling requirements but also include signing a pledge to support the eventual nominee and agree not to partake in non-RNC sanctioned debates. While some candidates have expressed dissatisfaction with the requirement, former Texas Rep. Will Hurd is the only one to explicitly refuse to sign the pledge.

In addition to Trump’s opposition to the loyalty pledge, he has indicated that he does not support boycotting general election debates hosted by the Commission on Presidential Debates, asserting a responsibility to participate. His latest decision adds a new dimension to the unfolding dynamics of the Republican primary race.

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• Donald Trump’s Official Statement on Social Media
• Republican National Committee’s Debate Requirements
• Fox News Coverage of the GOP Debates
• The Commission on Presidential Debates
• Ron DeSantis’ Campaign Website
• 2024 Republican Primary Candidates