The first Republican primary debate is one week away, set for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

It is still unknown whether the race's front-runner, former President Donald Trump, will participate despite meeting the donor and polling requirements. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have all met the criteria.

UP FOR DEBATE: TRUMP, DESANTIS, AND 2024 GOP HOPEFULS' STANCES ON EDUCATION

It's less clear whether each candidate has signed or will sign the RNC's loyalty pledge, though some, such as DeSantis, Haley, Ramaswamy, Burgum, and Scott, have reported signing the document already. The remaining candidates must sign the pledge 48 hours ahead of the debate.

Here is what to expect at next week's debate:

Trump's participation will loom over debate

As the debate draws near, candidates, viewers, Fox News, and the RNC itself are still awaiting Trump's decision on whether he will participate in the event. His attendance at the debate will likely determine viewership, important for Fox News, which is broadcasting the event. Trump's presence might also reiterate the RNC's credibility among Trump supporters. Primary competitors would also enjoy a larger platform and a chance to take on Trump face-to-face.

However, the campaign maintains that Trump is unlikely to participate in the debate. Trump has criticized the notion of debating in the past, pointing to his significantly higher polling stature and the fact that he was president between 2016 and 2020. Due to his status as a former president, Trump enjoys some advantages that incumbents do, such as name recognition and a proven record.

"President Trump leads the Republican field by more than 40 points. So he's going to dominate the conversation at the debate whether he's there or not. Meanwhile, Ron DeSanctimonious is dropping like a rock and finds himself in third place in many polls with his opponents smelling blood in the water," Trump's Senior Adviser Jason Miller told the Washington Examiner.

The former president isn't expected to announce a decision until Monday, cutting it close to the 48-hour deadline to sign the loyalty pledge.

While his decision is unclear, other candidates have been reportedly preparing for the possibility that he attends. Several contenders are holding preparation sessions with Trump in mind, according to the Associated Press.

Competitors will have to address Trump's indictments

Fox News host Martha MacCallum, who will be co-moderating the first debate with fellow host Bret Baier, echoed Miller's point that Trump will play a role on the debate stage whether he is there or not.

“It will absolutely be incumbent upon them to address [Trump's indictments],” she told Vanity Fair, referring to other Republican candidates.

According to her, “Voters need to hear how they see it, and the option that they’re trying to provide. It’s very tricky territory for these candidates. They know that well."

“It’s kind of a minefield," she added.

Baier agreed that Trump will loom large on the stage regardless of attendance. “If he’s not there, he’ll still be there,” he said in an interview. “In other words, he’ll be a part of questioning. There may be sound bites, there may be elements where ‘this is what the leader of the primary says about this issue.’ He’ll be there, even if he’s not there.”

Ramaswamy was the only candidate to come out and preemptively respond to the expected indictment against Trump on Monday. He later responded to it in real-time on Monday evening during a town hall. Other candidates have reacted more slowly, if at all.

Long-shot candidate former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the indictment disqualifies Trump from being president again. More prominent candidates DeSantis and Scott reacted to the charges on Tuesday, saying that it represented a justice system that targets political adversaries.

During a speech on Wednesday, Pence remarked that the Georgia election "was not stolen.”

Haley has yet to comment directly on Trump's indictment, though Haley has previously expressed she is "tired of commenting on every Trump drama."

DeSantis expected to be a target

Candidates have hesitated to criticize Trump, despite his prominence in the race as the front-runner. Strategists and pollsters have claimed this is because they are afraid to take him on and risk consideration from his supporters.

Because DeSantis is in second place in most polling, he has become the target for other candidates, GOP strategists noted.

In the past, candidates have hit the Florida governor over his dispute with the Walt Disney Company, claiming his scrutiny of the business is not ideologically conservative.

"Every candidate on and off the debate stage will have their knives out for Ron DeSantis because they know this is a two-man race. If DeSantis wasn't the best candidate to beat Joe Biden, Donald Trump wouldn't have spent over $20 million attacking him. See you in Milwaukee," Campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo told the Washington Examiner.

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Notably, he has borne the brunt of negative independent expenditures in the 2024 cycle, with $20.2 million spent against him—more than has been spent targeting Trump or Biden combined.

Being the target for Trump and others is something the Florida Republican is reportedly preparing for. DeSantis has been practicing for the event in weekly sessions with the assistance of veteran debate coach Brett O'Donnell, according to the Associated Press.