Former President Donald Trump may not participate in Republican primary debates leading up to the 2024 Presidential election. The Trump campaign reportedly told the Republican National Committee (RNC) that he is apprehensive about participating before any debates were announced.
The RNC refuted details of the report, saying Trump’s objections came after the first Republican debate was scheduled in Milwaukee. The misunderstanding between the two camps is the latest fracture between Trump campaign officials and Republican party operatives.
Trump publicly hinted that he is uninterested in primary debates. When Trump was asked about debating Republican challengers in primary debates, he responded, “Why would you do that?”
“I do look forward to the debate with Joe (Biden).”
Trump wrote about his disinterest in a Republican debate on Truth Social last week.
“When you’re leading by seemingly insurmountable numbers, and you have hostile Networks with angry, TRUMP & MAGA hating anchors asking the ‘questions,’ why subject yourself to being libeled and abused,” he wrote.
The RNC’s second debate is scheduled at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. Trump rebuked the venue for not hosting him while he was president.
Trump’s unwillingness to pledge fidelity to the RNC comes at an increasingly complex time for Republican party officials. Newly reelected RNC chair Ronna McDaniel recently suggested the party will require participants to pledge support for the party, independent of the primary’s outcome.
