The first GOP debate of the 2024 presidential cycle is next week, but it's still unclear whether the frontrunner, former President Trump, will show up or if it will instead feature lower-tier candidates trying to gain traction.
Trump's not saying for sure, but he's clearly signaling he doesn't plan to be there when his GOP rivals duke it out Wednesday in Milwaukee. (The Hill)
"Many people are asking whether or not I will be doing the DEBATES? ALL AMERICANS have been clamoring for a President of extremely High Intelligence. As everyone is aware, my Poll numbers, over a 'wonderful' field of Republican candidates, are extraordinary," he said in a Truth Social post this week.
Trump touted his strength in polling and record in office, adding, "so why would I Debate?"
For the other candidates, who include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Govs. Chris Christie (N.J.) and Nikki Haley (S.C.), Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) and biotech businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, the debate could prove to be a make-or-break point in the crowded race. Trump has held a commanding lead in the primary as his rivals have jockeyed to just get into the double digits.
To qualify for Wednesday's debate, the Republican National Committee has required that candidates have scored at least 1 percent in three high-quality national polls or a mix of national and early-state polls and at least 40,000 campaign donors, with 200 coming from at least 20 states.
Candidates are also required to sign a "loyalty pledge," saying they will back whoever wins the 2024 nomination for the party.
GOP debates in 2016 attracted millions of viewers, so it will be a big stage.
Behind the scenes: Republican leaders have been begging Trump to take part, and his Republican rivals, including Christie, Pence and DeSantis, are trying to goad him into joining the debate.
A political action committee backing DeSantis is running ads slamming Trump as "too weak to debate" and questioning the 77-year-old's "stamina." But it's unlikely Trump will bow to taunts.
But, but, but … Remember: Trump skipped the Fox News-hosted GOP presidential debate in Des Moines in January 2016 ahead of the Iowa caucuses and instead held his own event across town.
Here's what Trump said the next morning: "I did something that was very risky, and I think it turned out great because I'm on the front page of every paper. I'm getting more publicity than if I [debated]."
When he announced plans to skip another Fox-hosted 2016 debate that was set to take place in Salt Lake City, the whole thing was scrapped. (The Hill)
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