Trump has been suggesting for months that he will skip the debate [File: Seth Wenig/AP Photo
Former US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he will not participate in the Republican primary debates, the first of which is scheduled for next Wednesday. He believes that his previous term and his record speak for themselves.
In the race for the presidency, former US President Donald Trump does not want to engage with his opponents. He confirmed on Sunday, August 20, that he will not participate in the Republican Party primary debates.
“The public knows who I am and what a successful presidency I had, with energy independence, strong borders and military, the biggest tax and regulation cuts, no inflation, the strongest economy in history, and many other things,” Donald Trump stated on his Truth Social platform.
“THEREFORE, I WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE DEBATES!” he added, claiming to have 62% of the vote intentions in the Republican primaries, which is a 46-point lead over his closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The former president mocked him, saying he is “crashing like a sick bird.”
Five months before the start of the primaries, which will determine the Republican candidate for the 2024 US presidential election, Donald Trump enjoys stronger support from his base than ever before. However, his legal troubles cast a shadow over his attempt to return to the White House.
Trump does not commit to respecting the primary results
The first Republican debate is scheduled for Wednesday in Milwaukee, in the northeast of the United States.
Seven candidates have met the necessary criteria to participate. Ron DeSantis and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum will be present, as well as former Vice President Mike Pence, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.
Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will also be part of the event, both of whom threaten Ron DeSantis’ current position as the frontrunner in polls conducted in Iowa and New Hampshire, the first states to vote in the primaries.
The Republican Party had given Donald Trump until Monday to announce his decision regarding his potential participation. Despite his strong lead in the polls, some of the billionaire’s close associates fear that his rivals may take advantage of his absence to gain momentum.
In 2016, after missing a debate, Donald Trump lost the Iowa primary to Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Ron DeSantis and the other competitors could therefore see the absence of the former president in Milwaukee as an opportunity.
As a condition for their participation, candidates must commit to “honoring the will of the voters in the primaries” and supporting the winner. However, enforcing this rule is not straightforward. Donald Trump has already stated that he will not sign this commitment.
On Friday, The New York Times reported that Donald Trump would give an interview to Tucker Carlson, the former star host of Fox News now broadcast on X, formerly known as Twitter, at the same time as the Milwaukee debate. The candidate’s campaign team refused to confirm this.
With AP News