JUST IN: Trump Might Hold A ‘Competing’ Event During First GOP Debate

As the GOP gears up for its first primary debate of the 2024 cycle, all eyes are on a potential absence. Former President Donald Trump has yet to confirm his participation, leading to speculation that he may instead hold a separate event during the debate.

Trump has been vocal about his possible non-participation in the primary debates, attributing his decision to his substantial lead in the polls. He has even hinted at options for counter-programming to compete with the first debate, generating further intrigue around the matter.

One adviser provided insight, saying to NBC, “He shops opinions with everyone and will get, like, 100 different opinions. He wants to know what everyone thinks but will ultimately do what he wants to do. In general, he is asking everyone, from the bellman to [RNC Chair] Ronna McDaniel.”

The adviser went on to suggest that Trump hasn’t settled on a final decision, adding, “but if he does not debate, I doubt he’s staying home.”

Another person who has motivated Trump to participate in the debate shared, “He is not going to debate unless he’s forced to by changing polling.” They added, “I disagree with it, but it is where he is.”

The former president has also expressed dissatisfaction with Fox News, the network set to moderate the debate, for its perceived lack of coverage of his campaign events. Furthermore, RNC rules stipulating that debate participants must pledge to support the party’s eventual presidential nominee could be causing hesitation on Trump’s part. He has been non-committal when questioned about whether he would comply with such a rule.

Back in April, Trump, via a statement on Truth Social, voiced his disapproval of the RNC’s primary debate plan, asserting that neither he nor his campaign was consulted prior to the announcement of the debates. He criticized media organizations that traditionally moderate primary debates, suggesting they are biased against him.

“I see that everybody is talking about the Republican Debates, but nobody got my approval, or the approval of the Trump Campaign, before announcing them,” Trump wrote. “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?”

This isn’t the first time Trump has considered bypassing primary debates. Back in 2016, he skipped the last primary debate before the Iowa caucuses and instead hosted a veterans’ fundraiser. Despite losing Iowa, Trump went on to secure the GOP nomination and win the presidential election.

Regardless of his presence, Trump is expected to remain a central figure in the primary debates. His record may come under scrutiny by other candidates, and his absence could intensify the focus on Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), the current runner-up in the polls.

While Trump’s decision on whether to participate in the debate remains uncertain, what matters most is the perception of the voters. As the first primary draws near, there are mixed views among Trump’s supporters and detractors about his potential absence from the debate stage. The first scheduled primary debate will take place on August 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.