It appears that Donald Trump is likely to skip the GOP presidential primary debate on Wednesday, in a calculated move that some political pundits warn could backfire.
On Friday, the New York Times reported that Trump plans to outshine his rivals by skipping the event hosted by Fox News and instead attending an online interview with the network’s former host Tucker Carlson.
In posts on his Truth Social site, Trump has spoken out about the possibility of skipping the debate, citing his huge lead in the national polls over the field of GOP rivals.
But Politico’s Senior Campaign and Elections Editor Steven Shepard chimed in an analysis that passing the debate “probably won’t work” in Trump’s favor.
“Much of the movement in recent primaries has been time-marked by the nationally televised debates,” he wrote.
“Candidates sink or swim based on their debate performance — and the first debate has often been the catalyst for the first real changes in those races.”
Trump has a commanding lead ahead of the GOP primaries in national polls, though experts say the first primary debate often leads to major shifts in the polls
In posts on his Truth Social site, Trump (seen Aug. 13) has spoken out about the possibility of skipping the debate, citing his massive national poll on the field of GOP rivals
Trump’s absence could mean a poll for Ron DeSantis, who is a distant second in the GOP field, if Florida’s governor delivers a strong debate performance next week.
However, there are also risks for DeSantis: With leader Trump gone, DeSantis will be the focus of attacks from the rest of the field, and his ability to parry successfully will be critical.
Meanwhile, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, who is running a campaign largely based on Trump bashing, has already lashed out at the frontrunner’s likely absence from the debate stage.
In a post on X, Christie called Trump a “certified loser” and “verified coward.”
“If he thinks he should be the nominee, if he believes he has such a great track record, if he thinks he’s the best person to go against Joe Biden, show up Wednesday night and stop being like that “to be a coward,” said Christie. MSNBC on Friday.
“If what he said was true, which is that he has a great track record as president and he’s so far ahead, why not get on the podium and do a victory lap?”
Officially, Trump’s debate plans have not yet been confirmed, a campaign spokesman said.
Trump’s absence could mean a poll for Ron DeSantis, but it also carries risks, as Florida’s governor is likely to be the target of attacks from the rest of the field.
Trump left the door ajar on Friday to appear at Wednesday’s debate in Milwaukee, but The New York Times reported he probably won’t go
For months, however, Trump has suggested he reject the first debate, arguing that he is far ahead of all his competitors in the polls.
“A lot of people ask if I’m going to do the DEBATES?” he posted on Truth Social Friday. ‘People know my record, one of the BEST EVER, so why debate? I’M YOUR MAN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
In the same post, Trump said that “ALL AMERICANS have been clamoring for a president of extremely high intelligence.”
“As everyone knows, my Poll numbers, on a ‘wonderful’ field of Republican candidates, are extraordinary,” he continued. “In fact, I’m more than 50 points ahead of second place, whoever that is.
“Reagan didn’t do it, and neither did others,” Trump also said.
Trump was referring to Reagan’s 1980 decision to skip the Des Moines Register Republican debate—the first ever televised GOP debate.
In Reagan’s case, the decision fell through briefly, after George HW had a good night and ended up winning the Iowa primary.
However, Reagan became the final candidate and made Bush his running mate.
During the 2016 campaign, Trump also skipped a primary debate in Iowa because – as he is now – he had a falling out with the Fox News Channel.
Former President Donald Trump participated in all but one GOP primary during the 2016 cycle
In 2016, Trump argued with then-Fox News host Megyn Kelly over her awkward questions in an earlier debate.
In this election cycle, New York Times sources said Trump will likely skip the second GOP presidential debate as well.
It will be held September 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
The library’s prominent speaker series has denounced Trump but has invited critics, including former Representative Liz Cheney, one of two now-former GOP lawmakers, to serve on the House Select Committee on Jan. 6.