Governed by the Old | 8/24/23

Governed by the Old | 8/24/23

Trump reportedly plans to skip GOP debate and do interview with Tucker Carlson



Reports indicate that former President Donald Trump plans to skip the first GOP presidential primary debate and do an interview with conservative media figure Tucker Carlson.

Trump has determined to skip the debate, NBC News reported, citing two sources aware of his thinking. The outlet reported that Trump is seeking an interview with Carlson.

"We haven't confirmed anything on our end," a Trump campaign spokesperson noted when questioned about Trump's plans for next week, according to the outlet.

The New York Times reported that, according to individuals briefed on the issue, Trump plans to upstage the GOP primary debate by doing an interview with Carlson. According to two individuals briefed on the situation, Trump has informed individuals close to him that he has determined to skip the debate, the Times reported.

Trump is by far the most popular Republican presidential candidate, according to polling, so his absence would almost certainly lead to lower interest in the debate.

Trump has been publicly questioning why he should participate in the debate when he is already walloping the competition.

"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. In fact, I am leading the runner up, whoever that may now be, by more than 50 Points. Reagan didn't do it, and neither did others. People know my Record, one of the BEST EVER, so why would I Debate? I'M YOUR MAN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

The debate is slated to take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 23 and will be moderated by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum of Fox News. "The RNC is proud to announce the @FoxNews Republican Primary Debate with Partners @YAF and @RumbleVideo," the Republican National Committee tweeted in April.

Carlson previously hosted a popular primetime program on the Fox News Channel, but the show was abruptly eliminated from the evening lineup earlier this year. Carlson later launched a new show that is unaffiliated with Fox News, releasing episodes directly on Twitter.

Axios reported earlier this year that Fox News had issued a cease-and-desist letter to Carlson. But Carlson has continued creating content and releasing it on the social media platform.

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'He'll be there, even if he's not there': Fox News' Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum prepare to moderate GOP presidential primary debate with or without Trump in attendance



Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum of Fox News are slated to moderate the first GOP presidential primary debate of the 2024 election cycle, and while it remains unclear whether former President Donald Trump will participate in the event, Baier and MacCallum will be prepared either way.

"We will have questions for every candidate up there, including former President Trump if he decides to join us," MacCallum said, according to Politico.

"If he's not there, he'll still be there," Baier said, according to the outlet. "In other words, he'll be a part of questioning. There may be sound bites, there may be elements where 'this is what the leader of the primary says about this issue.' He'll be there, even if he's not there."

"For the most part, we talk about subjects as buckets of questions," Baier noted. "The buckets wouldn't change that much whether he's in or not. Maybe some of the interaction between candidates would change a bit."

The debate will take place next week on August 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Trump, who holds a massive lead over the rest of the GOP primary pack, has indicated that he may skip the debate.

In order to be eligible to participate, the Republican National Committee is requiring candidates to pledge to support the party's eventual nominee. Trump has questioned how much he could really benefit by debating when he is already dominating in the polls. He has also said that he will not sign the required pledge to support the eventual nominee, noting that there are some individuals he would not support for the presidency.

Candidates must also meet certain polling and donor thresholds in order to qualify for the debate.

"Will ratings be higher with Donald Trump on the stage? Of course, of course. He always creates fireworks," Baier noted, according to Politico. "If he does not come, that heightens the drama to be the candidate that becomes the 'not Trump' candidate.

"Because that's eventually what this GOP primary is going to come down to ... the former president, likely against someone else that voters decide is the alternative to him. And it's early in the process, … but that lifts up that whole battle onstage," he said.

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