Former US President and incoming presidential candidate Donald Trump will not participate in the first Republican primary debate next Wednesday. He may also ignore subsequent discussions. He said this in a message on Truth Social.
the reason? He thinks he’s so high in the polls that he shouldn’t be there. “And rightfully so,” says US correspondent Jan Postma. “He’s miles ahead of his rivals in every poll, and besides, every Republican already knows him. And so he sees participating in the debate as a risk — the other candidates haven’t established themselves yet, and participation will draw attention to these newcomers. If Trump participates, Of course more people will watch.
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In addition, Trump refused to sign the Republican pledge to support the Republican candidate at all costs by other candidates if they did not win. “Trump doesn’t want to sign that,” Postma said. All of these things mean that Trump will not participate in the first debate.
“Miles ahead of its competitors in every survey”
Postma describes it as a “Trump model” that the former US president may also ignore other discussions. Postma continues, “It talks about several arguments.” But he did not say which discussions would be involved. Anyway, it seemed like he wasn’t going to participate in the first few discussions anyway.
Don’t sit still
Still, Postma doesn’t expect Trump to stand quietly behind the TV on Wednesday night to watch the debate. on the contrary. “There’s a lot about to happen, and the rumors keep going,” says Postma. He’ll probably sit in the audience to comment directly on Truth Social. That would really be a spectacle.
There is also talk of a possible Trump rally. Postma: Before announcing he would not be attending the debate, right-wing news anchor Tucker Carlson paid him a visit. Trump also hinted that a possible option would be to interview Carlson. And this will be a safe place for Trump to get his message across and draw attention away from his rivals.”
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A notable detail: It would also deal a ratings blow to FOX News, which not only moderates the debate but recently fired the same Tucker Carlson. “Trump has been pressuring FOX for some time to report on him more kindly,” Postma concludes. “And Carlson, of course, wants revenge.”
