After indicating that he would not participate in the first GOP primary debate in Milwaukee, which is scheduled for Wednesday, former president Donald Trump has announced that he won’t participate in any of the 2024 GOP presidential primary debates.
“The public is aware of who I am & the successful presidency I led, including Energy Independence, Strong Borders & Military and Biggest EVER tax & regulation cuts, No Inflation, and the Strongest Economy Ever. Trump said Sunday on Truth Social that he would not be taking part in debates. Why would I let people from 1%, 2%, and even 0% bombard me with questions?
“People know that my record is one of the best, so why would I debate? I’m your man. “MAKE AMERICA great again!” he wrote in another post.
Trump, citing the overwhelming lead he has in the polls, recently called on his GOP rivals to drop out of the race and back his candidacy. He refused to sign the loyalty pledge that required him to confirm his support for the GOP nominee. He asked, “Why would you sign it?” “I can think of three or four candidates that I would not support as president.” “So, right there is a problem.”
Trump believes there is no benefit to him participating in debates. However, this doesn’t mean that his decision will not backfire.
Most often, voters who are actively considering another candidate along with Trump say that they just want to keep their options open. CBS News reported that about half of the voters also said they were ‘waiting for the debate. That could be the best news going into this week’. Four out of ten voters cite Trump’s “controversial” status as a reason to consider other candidates. This may reflect uncertainty over his future and the fact that it is a talking point for other candidates. Fewer people currently believe that Trump might lose to Biden.
Trump will take a risk in either case. Trump’s refusal to take part in any debates will allow his opponents to use his record to attack him without Trump having the opportunity to defend himself.
This may be the reason Trump has scheduled his interview with Tucker Carlson to take place at the same time as the debate. He hopes that the interest in his interview with Tucker Carlson will kill the ratings for the first debate. Carlson’s interview may reduce interest in the debate but it won’t last forever.
