Former President Donald Trump has not indicated if he plans to participate in the first GOP primary debate in August, raising questions about whether the former president plans to watch from afar or attract the spotlight elsewhere.
Trump has repeatedly hinted he won’t participate in the primary debates, often pointing to his substantial lead in the polls to argue his presence would be unnecessary. The former president has even suggested options for counterprogramming to compete with the first debate, according to NBC.
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“He wants to know what everyone thinks but will ultimately do what he wants to do,” a Trump adviser said. "But if he does not debate, I doubt he's staying home."
Trump’s absence on the debate stage could negatively affect the Republican National Committee, as well as Fox News ratings, as it would deprive the event of the party’s most prominent figure. As a result, several advisers and close allies have been pushing the former president to agree to debate.
Trump has not made a final decision on the matter, and a spokesperson for the former president did not respond to a request for comment by the Washington Examiner.
Meanwhile, the former president has lashed out against Fox News, which is set to moderate the debate, earlier this week for its lack of coverage of his campaign events. Trump accused the outlet of ignoring his speeches while still relying on his debate participation to increase ratings.
“So FoxNews, which is down 37% in the Ratings, doesn’t cover my getting the ‘Man of the Decade’ Award (because of my great trade policies!) in Michigan, or my Keynote Speech for Faith & Freedom in D.C., and then wants me to show up and get them ratings for their ‘Presidential’ Debate, where I’m leading the field by 40 points,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “Sorry FoxNews, life doesn’t work that way!!!”
Trump could also be hesitant to join the stage due to requirements issued by the RNC to qualify for primary debates, including one stipulation to pledge support for the party’s eventual presidential nominee. Trump has dodged questions about whether he would do so, again pointing to his front-runner status in the polls.
The 2024 cycle is not the first time Trump has withheld from participating in primary debates. In fact, Trump similarly skipped the last primary debate that was held before the Iowa caucuses in 2016, instead hosting a fundraiser for veterans. Trump lost Iowa but later went on to secure the GOP nomination and win the 2016 election.
Even in his absence, Trump is expected to play a major role in the primary debates. It’s likely Trump will be a main topic throughout the event, and several of his challengers may feel more willing to criticize his record without him standing on the stage.
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However, that could also be a detriment to Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who could become the target of attacks in an attempt to knock him from his runner-up status.
The first scheduled primary debate is on Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The event will be moderated by Fox News hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.