LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 08: Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald ... [+]
Former President Donald Trump has told organizers he will not attend a 2024 presidential forum featuring former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. The forum, in Des Moines, Iowa on Friday, is part of the FAMiLY Leadership Summit, which describes itself as “the Midwest’s largest gathering of Christians seeking cultural transformation in the family, church, government and more.”
Republican candidates Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott and Asa Hutchinson have confirmed they will attend the event and be interviewed by Carlson. As of Tuesday morning, the organizer’s website lists Trump, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and President Biden as “invited guests.”
Trump, who leads in most Republican primary polls, has repeatedly suggested that he may not take part in debates. The first Republican presidential primary debate is set for August 23 in Milwaukee, and Trump has yet to confirm if he will attend. The Republican National Committee has said that to take part in debates, candidates must pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee. Asked if he would do so, Trump has said it would “depend on who the nominee was.”
CORAL GABLES, FL - MARCH 10: Republican presidential candidates, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Donald ... [+]
Earlier this year, writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he didn’t see the logic in sharing a debate stage with candidates who were trailing him in the polls. “When you’re leading by seemingly insurmountable numbers, and you have the hostile Networks with angry TRUMP & MAGA
Trump skipped an Iowa candidate forum hosted by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) last month. Eight other candidates appeared, and Trump even declined to send a videotaped message, despite organizers renting equipment to present a Trump video to the attendees.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA - JULY 07: Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a ... [+]
Trump campaigned in Council Bluffs, Iowa last week, where he attacked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as an enemy of farmers. “He has been fighting for years to kill every single job supported by this vital industry,” Trump said of ethanol. “If he had his way, the entire economy of Iowa would absolutely collapse.”
It was during his trip to Iowa that Trump stopped at a Dairy Queen and expressed confusion about the chain’s most famous menu item, the Blizzard. “Everybody wants a Blizzard,” Trump said. “What the hell is a Blizzard?”