The first Republican Presidential debate will apparently be held Wednesday without the party’s biggest star.
While at least eight other conservatives prepare to take the stage at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee for a debate hosted by Fox News, former President Donald Trump says he will be taking a pass on joining the lineup.
“As everyone is aware, my Poll numbers, over a “wonderful” field of Republican candidates, are extraordinary. In fact, I am leading the runner up, whoever that may now be, by more than 50 Points. Reagan didn’t do it, and neither did others. People know my Record, one of the BEST EVER, so why would I Debate? I’M YOUR MAN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he wrote, employing his typical disdain for the rules of capitalization.
According to party rules, to qualify for the first debate candidates need to have seen at least 1% support in three “high-quality national polls” or a mix of national and early primary state polls, and receive donations from at least 40,000 people across 20 states. Participants are also required to sign a so-called loyalty pledge promising they will support the party nominee if it isn’t them.
Along with Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former Vice President Mike Pence and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson have qualified, according to their campaigns.
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez claims to have met the debate qualification thresholds, though that assertion has not been verified by the party. Conservative radio host Larry Elder, businessman Perry Johnson, and former Texas Rep. Will Hurd have not met debate thresholds. The party set a Monday deadline for candidates to inform them of their qualifications and intent to participate.
Trump has been toying with bailing on the party debate for weeks, pointing to the loyalty pledge and his lead in the polls as the reason.
“It doesn’t make sense to do when you’re leading so much,” he said in New Hampshire on August 8.
Trump’s former Vice President told CBS he thinks voters lose when candidates don’t debate, but that the former president is always one for a show and may end up on stage after all.
“It’s not over till it’s over. I’m actually hoping he still shows up,” Pence said. “I think that every one of us that have qualified for that debate stage outta be on the stage and willing to square off, answer the tough questions.”
According to Christie, Trump is simply afraid to be challenged in public.
“Surprise, surprise… the guy who is out on bail from four jurisdictions and can’t defend his reprehensible conduct, is running scared and hiding from the debate stage,” he wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “Trump – certified loser, verified coward.”
The first Republican Presidential Primary debate will air at 6 p.m. on Aug. 23 across Fox News platforms and will be moderated by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.