- Trump Chooses to Skip GOP Presidential Debates, Prioritizing Record and Popularity.
- CBS Poll Indicates Strong Support for Trump Despite Legal Challenges.
- Rivals and Legal Issues Take Center Stage Ahead of 2024 Republican Debate.
Former US President Donald Trump has declared that he will not participate in the upcoming Grand Old Party (GOP) presidential debates. He conveyed this decision on his social media platform, Truth Social, emphasizing his familiarity with the American people and his belief that he doesn’t need to engage in public debates to secure the Oval Office.
Trump pointed to his perceived highly successful track record as president and his popularity among the public as reasons for his decision. He stated, “I WILL THEREFORE NOT BE DOING THE DEBATES!” in capitalized letters. The first debate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination is scheduled for Wednesday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Highlighting his dominance in recent polls, Trump cited a CBS News poll where 62% of respondents indicated they would vote for him. This is noteworthy despite him being indicted multiple times this year, including on charges related to attempts to undermine the 2020 election results and stay in power after losing to Joe Biden.
Among the GOP candidates, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emerged as the closest contender with 16% support in the CBS poll, while the rest polled in single digits. Trump dismissed DeSantis’s performance as “crashing like an ailing bird.”
Throughout the announcement, Trump reiterated that the public is already well-acquainted with his successful presidency, hinting that his participation in the debates wasn’t necessary. He had expressed reservations earlier about sharing the stage with less popular rivals.
Reports suggest that Trump had communicated his intention to skip the debate and instead opt for an online interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson to overshadow his competitors. Despite his absence, Trump’s legal challenges, involving both criminal and civil cases stemming from his presidency, will likely be topics of discussion during the debate.
Moderator Bret Baier from Fox News acknowledged that Trump’s legal issues would inevitably influence the debate, given that all candidates have been frequently questioned about them. While Trump remains a dominant force in the polls, concerns have been raised among his supporters that his decision to not participate could potentially allow his opponents to gain traction through a viral moment.
Seven other candidates, including governors Ron DeSantis and Doug Burgum, former vice president Mike Pence, UN ambassador Nikki Haley, and Senator Tim Scott, have qualified for the debate. They are expected to discuss a range of issues, including energy, border security, the military, and the economy.