The first significant development of the 2024 Republican presidential primary debate has arrived five days before the candidates are set to face off. In a move emblematic of his signature erratic style, former president and 2024 presidential hopeful Donald J. Trump today announced his plans to sidestep the Milwaukee debate on Wednesday, opting instead for an online interview with disgraced former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson. It’s remarkable how the pettiest of trivialities often get under Trump’s skin, yet he remains unfazed by Tucker’s recently divulged disdain for him.

While Trump may be absent from the stage, his shadow will undoubtedly loom large over the event. In the past, the GOP stage was a beacon of diverse ideas and visions. However, the Trump era has dulled that vibrancy. The important issues facing the country, like the opioid epidemic, China’s rising influence, and many more, now often find themselves relegated to the sidelines in these conversations.

With the upcoming event now also at risk of being upstaged by the Donald’s latest theatrics, the other candidates must quickly drop their reluctance to disparage him. This debate presents the rest of the field with a golden opportunity. With Trump not there, the candidates present on stage can highlight his cowardice in refusing to make an appearance and focus on the issues that affect voters most, proving themselves worthy of the most powerful job in the world. Let’s hope they seize the moment instead of hiding in the shadow of the man they seek to dethrone.