Former US President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that he will not be taking part in the Republican Party’s primary election debates, the first of which is on Wednesday.
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“The public knows who I am and what a successful presidency I’ve served, with energy independence, strong borders and a military, the deepest tax and regulation cuts, no inflation, the strongest economy in history and many other things,” he said he Mr. Trump on his Truth Social platform.
“I WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE DEBATES!” .
Ron DeSantis “falls like a sick bird,” the former president quipped.
Five months before the start of the primary election that will determine the Republican nominee for the 2024 US presidential election, Donald Trump enjoys stronger grassroots support than ever before. But his legal setbacks overshadow his attempt to return to the White House.
The boisterous billionaire who denounces a “witch hunt” faces cases: he’s accused of conspiring against American institutions in connection with his crackdown on reversing the result of the 2020 presidential election, negligent management of confidential files and falsifying accounting documents after buying an actress’ silence from X -Film.
The first Republican debate is scheduled for Wednesday in Milwaukee, in the northeastern United States.
Seven candidates met the necessary participation criteria. Guests will include Ron DeSantis and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Donald Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence, his former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.
Also present are businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, both of whom are threatening Ron DeSantis’ current second place finish in polls in Iowa and New Jersey. Hampshire is the first state to vote in the primary.
Republican Party authorities had given Donald Trump until Monday to announce his decision about his possible attendance.
Despite his strong lead in the polls, the billionaire’s loved ones fear his rivals will take advantage of his absence to spark momentum.
In 2016, Donald Trump lost to Texas Senator Ted Cruz in the Iowa Republican primary after missing a debate. Ron DeSantis and the other contenders could therefore see the ex-president’s absence from Milwaukee as a blessing.
As a condition of their participation, candidates must pledge to “respect the will of voters in the primaries” and support the winner. But how this rule can be enforced is not obvious. Donald Trump has already stated that he will not sign this pledge.
On Friday, The New York Times said Donald Trump would be giving an interview with Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News star host, to coincide with the Milwaukee debate, which airs today on X, ex-Twitter. The candidate’s campaign team declined to confirm.