Former President Donald Trump refused to confirm his participation in the upcoming first Republican primary debate, citing his comfortable lead in early GOP polls.
During an interview with Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Trump compared his debate strategy to that of Ronald Reagan and others who chose not to participate when holding a substantial lead.
When asked about his decision, Trump stated, “I haven’t really made up my mind.”
Scheduled to take place on August 23 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, the debate coincides with the Republican National Convention next year.
Despite his uncertainty about joining the debate, Trump praised two of his primary rivals, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, suggesting they could serve in his cabinet should he secure the nomination and return to the White House.
Regarding Scott, Trump remarked, “I could see Tim doing something. Tim is a very talented guy.”
When questioned about potential competition from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during the debate, Trump acknowledged the possibility of others gaining ground, noting that DeSantis’s lead has been diminishing while other candidates, including Vivek Ramaswamy, have made significant strides.
Trump commended Ramaswamy, stating, “I think Vivek has done a very good job, frankly.”
Additionally, Trump advocated for the postponement of his trial, which involves 37 felony counts related to mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Claiming “election interference,” he referred to the Department of Justice as the “Department of Injustice.”
Trump’s legal team had previously argued for a delay in the proposed trial date of December 11, citing the candidate’s busy campaign schedule.
In response, the Department of Justice filed a document refuting the argument, stating that there was “no basis in fact or law” for postponing the proceedings.
Furthermore, Trump is contesting an indictment brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg over alleged “hush money” payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 elections.
Despite these legal challenges, Trump expressed confidence in his ability to secure votes from women and win a general election by emphasizing public safety, border security, tax cuts, deregulation, and promoting American energy independence through oil and gas exploration.
On other topics, Trump opposed the House GOP’s proposal to relocate the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from Washington, D.C., to Alabama.
He explained his preference for keeping the FBI close to the Justice Department due to their collaborative nature and the availability of suitable land for renovation or new construction.
Regarding Democratic incumbent President Joe Biden, Trump suggested he would be the Democratic nominee but added, “you hold your breath” regarding Biden’s ability to complete a sentence.
Trump also claimed that the late Senator Ted Kennedy once referred to Biden as the “dumbest” senator during their time together.
Furthermore, he expressed doubt about Robert Kennedy Jr.’s chances of securing the Democratic nomination, describing him as intelligent but ultimately unelectable.
In a surprising statement, Trump implied that the Secret Service had knowledge of the individuals responsible for bringing cocaine into the White House.
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While commending the Secret Service and their expertise, he expressed skepticism about the lack of suspects identified during their investigation.
Trump emphasized the significance of the area near the Situation Room, where critical decisions on matters such as war and nuclear issues are made, stating, “I don’t think it’s possible for bags of cocaine to be left in a certain area by the Situation Room.”
As the former president navigates the ongoing legal challenges and assesses his involvement in the upcoming primary debate, his remarks reflect a mix of confidence, concern, and skepticism, typical of his conservative-leaning ideology.
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