Unable to let his 2024 competitors take the spotlight, Donald Trump broadcasts an interview with Tucker Carlson at the same time as the first GOP debate in Milwaukee is about to begin.
The ex-president announced on Truth Social Wednesday that his conversation with the former Fox News host will be broadcast at 9 p.m., promising that “sparks will fly.”
Meanwhile, eight other candidates will take the stage at the Fiserv Forum arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the RNC’s first presidential debate.
From the start, there were concerns that Trump would counterprogram the debate in an attempt to steal the spotlight after refusing to stand on stage with candidates he considers inferior to himself.
In addition to the interview coinciding with the debate, Trump also plans to turn himself over to Georgian authorities in Fulton County on Thursday as part of the latest indictment against him. The timing is likely to mitigate the impact of the debate on other candidates.
Former President Donald Trump said his interview with Tucker Carlson will air Wednesday night at 9 p.m. at the same time as the first Republican presidential debate.
In an effort to draw viewers out of the debate, Trump promised during the interview that “sparks will fly”
The Republican National Committee (RNC) announced Monday night who had reached the debate stage — meaning they had passed the polling and donor thresholds and signed a pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee.
Qualifications include Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchin and Governor of North DAkota Doug Burgum.
After sustaining an injury during a basketball game in Milwaukee on Tuesday, Burgum was rushed to the emergency room. It is unclear whether he will be on stage on Wednesday night.
“MY INTERVIEW WITH TUCKER CARLSON WILL BE BROADCASTING TONIGHT AT 9:00 PM. “SPARKS WILL FLY.” TO ENJOY!’ Trump wrote in all caps in a Truth Social post.
Trump is preparing to be “proudly” arrested Thursday afternoon in Georgia on electoral fraud charges, he also announced on Truth Social.
The ex-president and his 18 co-defendants were charged on August 14 with trying to overturn Georgia’s 2020 presidential election, and were given noon on Friday, August 25 to register themselves for booking.
He will surrender at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta.
Trump plans to continue his counterprogramming of the debate’s fallout by turning himself in on Thursday
The Fulton County Jail, where former President Trump will be treated, is on display in Atlanta, Georgia
On Monday, the 77-year-old’s bail was set at $200,000 and he was ordered not to send threatening messages on social media.
Sheriff’s deputies stepped up security and erected barriers around the dilapidated prison on Monday when his legal team was spotted entering District Attorney Fani Willis’ office.
Fulton County authorities said he cannot expect special treatment.
He will have to be fingerprinted, as with other suspects in the notorious prison, and for the first time in his four charges, his mugshot can be taken.
The prison is known for its appalling conditions, although Trump will not be held there pending trial.
He stressed on his social media account that the trial he will face on allegations of voter fraud will be an opportunity to “show how the 2020 presidential election was rigged and stolen.”
He called anyone who didn’t believe him ‘FOOLS & LAWARDS’ because we now know the answers to all frauds, irregularities and deceit, and we can’t let it happen again!’
The former president announced this weekend that he would skip the first Republican Party primary debate this week and instead interview former Fox host Tucker Carlson.
But Trump surrogates have flocked to Milwaukee ahead of Wednesday night’s debate.
Kari Lake spoke to reporters outside the debate room on Tuesday as Trump supporters waved signs with his name on them in the background.
“This isn’t a race, guys — the primaries are over,” she said, citing Trump’s massive lead in the polls. The former president leads the RealClearPolitics polling average by 41 points.
She also accused Fox News — which hosts the debate at 9 p.m. ET — of being anti-Trump, saying that’s why he skipped the debate.
“There’s no point in him going into this and watching a network — which has already decided they want someone on Trump — collect ratings from him.
He’s just too smart for that. And frankly, he doesn’t need that. He’s already been nominated. He’s so far ahead. No one can overtake it.’
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, another Trump ally who will be in the debate audience, told DailyMail.com it was time for the party to rally behind Trump.
‘It is over. It’s pointless. It’s a waste of donor money. It’s just that everyone has to get behind President Trump,” she said.
But with Trump missing from the podium, the spotlight will fall on the next two top candidates, each of whom will be the center of attention: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
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