Former President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday that he will not participate in Wednesday’s Republican presidential primary debate. However, it is not clear whether he plans to boycott every primary debate or just those that have currently been scheduled.
“The public knows who I am and what a successful Presidency I had,” Trump wrote on his social media site. “I WILL THEREFORE NOT BE DOING THE DEBATES!” His spokesman did not immediately clarify whether he plans to boycott every primary debate or just those that have currently been scheduled.
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Trump had maintained that he saw little upside in joining his GOP rivals on stage at the Republican presidential primary debate in Milwaukee on Wednesday, given his commanding lead in the race.
“Why would I allow people at 1 or 2% and 0% to be hitting me with questions all night?” he had said in an interview in June with Fox News host Bret Baier, who will be serving as a moderator. The former US president has also accused Fox News, the host of the August 23 primetime event, of being a “hostile network” that he believes will not treat him fairly.
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Trump had been exploring a number of debate counterprogramming options, including sitting for an interview with ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who has been hosting a show on ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter). Carlson was spotted at Trump’s Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club ahead of the announcement, according to reports. The New York Times reported Saturday the interview set to air Wednesday has already been taped, news agency Associated Press reported.
“We cannot confirm or deny — stay tuned,” said Trump spokesman Steven Cheung.
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Trump and his team is also exploring the possibility of showing up in Milwaukee at the last minute or attending but sitting in the audience and offering live commentary on his Truth Social site. He had also discussed potentially calling into different networks to draw viewers from the debate, or holding a rally instead, AP reported, adding that he has not notified the Republican National Committee of his plans.
Trump’s rivals, meanwhile, are concerned that a no-show might make them appear like second-tier candidates and deny them the opportunity to land a knockout blow against the race’s Goliath that could change the trajectory of the race.
