Donald Trump chose to be absent from the Republican Party’s first primary debate for the 2020 presidential election. In his quest for leadership, however, he couldn’t just stand aside. Exactly when the debate started was the controversial communicator Tucker Carlson posted on X, the network formerly known as Twitter, an interview he recorded with the former President a few days ago. In doing so, he tries to move into the limelight and burst the debate. “I’m giving this interview and we’re probably going to reach more audiences with this crazy format than with the debate.”
In the interview, Trump explains why he did not take part in the Milwaukee debate. His lead in the polls is so big that he sees no point in it. “Am I supposed to sit there for an hour or two, whatever it is, and be hassled by people who shouldn’t even be running for president? Should I be doing this on a network that isn’t particularly kind to me?” Trump said in the 46-minute interview. “All these people are going to yell at me and ask me questions, all of which I’m happy to answer, all of which I’m happy to do. But there’s no point in doing them, so I passed,” he said.
And he attacked his likely rival in the 2024 presidential election. “Joe Biden is the worst president in our country’s history.”
When asked by a devoted interviewer if he didn’t think that after facing a political trial (impeachment) and four consecutive charges he didn’t fear they would try to assassinate him, Trump replied: ” They are wild animals.” . They are sick people.” “There is a level of passion and hatred that I have never experienced,” he also said of the political situation.
The counterprogram interview is a double affront to conservative broadcaster Fox, owned by tycoon Rupert Murdoch. Firstly, because it is the channel that is broadcasting the debate this Wednesday. Second, because Fox fired Carlson in April after a defamation lawsuit that cost the broadcaster nearly $800 million. He has open disputes with his former star presenter, who continues to pay his multimillion-dollar contract but demands that he not work for other media.
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Amid sweltering heat, hours before the debate, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, in statements to EL PAÍS and Catalunya Radio outside the gates of the venue, the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, pointed out what the eight candidates should do is back down and Trump to help him return to the White House.
The Georgia congresswoman, known by her initials MTG, admitted that wouldn’t happen because that way they “keep getting donations and their advisors keep charging, so they’re going to keep going a little longer,” she said. MTG is one of those who advised Trump not to attend the Milwaukee debate: “I told him not to come because it was a waste of time. He wins the primaries, there’s no need to go on stage. He doesn’t have to prove anything to these candidates, he showed that to the United States when he was four years old in the White House. We just want that to come back.
This was contradicted by Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, who also told reporters in Milwaukee before the debate: “I would have liked to see President Trump here.” In any case, in his opinion, the main task of the elected person must be “to unite the country not to split”. “That’s what President Biden promised, and he did exactly the opposite.”
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