On Sunday, leading 2024 Republican presidential candidate and 45th President Donald Trump made a major announcement that will shake up the presidential race and likely result in the solidification of his nomination to the Republican ticket. President Trump announced that he would not be taking part in the GOP “debates” which would suggest that he will not attend any of the three scheduled forums.
“New CBS POLL, just out, has me leading the field by ‘legendary’ numbers. TRUMP 62%, 46 Points above DeSanctimonious (who is crashing like an ailing bird!), Ramaswamy 7%, Pence 5%, Scott 3%, Haley 2%, Sloppy Chris Christie 2%, “Aida” Hutchinson 1%,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had, with Energy Independence, Strong Borders & Military, Biggest EVER Tax & Regulation Cuts, No Inflation, Strongest Economy in History, & much more.”
“I WILL THEREFORE NOT BE DOING THE DEBATES!” Trump concluded.
As previously reported by the DC Enquirer, Trump has been fickle over the past few months as to whether he would attend the first Republican debate hosted by the Republican National Committee. The biggest sign that he would refuse to participate is the fact that he did not sign the RNC’s loyalty pledge which was a prerequisite for participation in the presidential forum.
The New York Times reported earlier this week that instead of attending the debate, Trump would be sitting down for an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Given that that sit down will likely be taking place on Wednesday for the first debate, it is anyone’s guess what the leading Republican candidate will do instead for the other two debates scheduled.
Both RNC leadership and Fox News executives have attempted to lobby President Trump to participate in the debates, well knowing that he would bring tremendous ratings to the network. It appears that their efforts, however, were in vain as Trump’s dominance in the polls has taken away any benefit of going to debate his primary opponents.
This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly.