REPORT: Fox Executives Held Private Dinner With Trump, Begged Him To Debate

Amid the news of his third indictment, former President Donald J. Trump joined top executives from Fox News for a private dinner, as they urged him to take part in the upcoming Republican presidential primary debate, according to The New York Times.

The dinner, which had been scheduled prior to the announcement of the indictment, was held at Trump’s private golf club in Bedminster on Tuesday evening. It was attended by Fox News president Jay Wallace and the network’s chief executive, Suzanne Scott. The meeting was part of an effort by Fox to encourage Trump to attend the first GOP debate, scheduled for August 23 in Milwaukee.

Trump has been outspoken about possibly skipping the initial debate, which Fox News is hosting in conjunction with the Republican National Committee, as well as the second debate planned for September at the Reagan Presidential Library in California. Despite his public stance, he has privately indicated to several individuals that he might still attend the first event.

The relationship between Trump and Fox News has been both cooperative and contentious during his tenure as president and beyond. While the network has been generally supportive of Trump’s agenda, there have been moments of public disagreement and tension.

The New York Times wrote:

The Fox executives made a soft appeal for Mr. Trump to attend the debate, two of the people familiar with the dinner said, telling the former president that he excels on the center stage and that it presents an opportunity for him to show off his debate skills. Several people who have tried pushing Mr. Trump to debate in recent weeks have argued that if he does not show up, he could be giving an opening to other candidates to perform well.

Mr. Trump told the Fox executives that he had not yet made a decision and would keep an open mind, the three people said. The Fox team requested the meeting. The dinner was supposed to have included another participant from the network — the host Sean Hannity, who is friendly with Mr. Trump — but he was doing his 9 p.m. show and couldn’t make it.

Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Mr. Trump, declined to comment on the dinner, saying, “I won’t discuss a private meeting.”

Irena Briganti, a spokeswoman for Fox News, also declined to comment on the private dinner.

The appeal from Fox’s leadership really shows the significant attention and ratings that Trump’s participation would likely bring to the debate. His absence from the stage would be a blow to the network and might reduce the overall impact of the event on the Republican primary race.

The dinner at Bedminster does not guarantee Trump’s participation in the upcoming debate. His decision to attend or skip the event is seen as a crucial indicator of his political intentions and strategy as the 2024 presidential campaign heats up.

The former president’s legal troubles and the ongoing political landscape will likely play a significant role in his decision-making process. With the first debate just weeks away, all eyes are on Trump and Fox News, as both parties assess their strategies and the potential implications of his participation or absence.