Will Trump participate in the Republican debate? Here is what we know so far
The former president is leading in the polls but has everyone guessing about his possible presence on the Milwaukee stage on August 23rd.
Donald Trump was recently in New Hampshire, where he spoke to supporters and sought to drum up enthusiasm in one of the first states set to vote in the Republican primary. With the mystery of whether or not he will participate in the debate more timely than ever, the former president conducted a small survey among those present. Reactions were divided and fairly even, with both pro and con positions making themselves heard, leaving the tycoon with more doubts than before.
Ron DeSantis has already signed the pledge in which he commits to supporting the eventual Republican nominee for president, one of the main requirements established by the Republican National Committee (RNC) to take the stage on August 23. Minutes later, the former president and leader in the polls spoke to Newsmax and confirmed that he does not intend to sign the document.
"I wouldn't sign the pledge. Why would I sign a pledge if there are people I wouldn't support? I wouldn't support certain people," he told journalist Eric Bolling, without specifying who those candidates would be.
As for his participation in the debate, the former president neither confirmed nor denied it, kicking the news to next week. "I have already decided and will announce something next week. I have not totally ruled it out," he said.
The compromise that Trump is not willing to sign
Named the "Joe Biden Pledge," the document states: "I affirm that if I do not win the 2024 Republican nomination for President of the United States, I will honor the will of the primary voters and support the nominee in order to save our country and defeat Joe Biden. I further pledge that I will not seek to run as an independent or write-in candidate, nor will I seek or accept the nomination for president of any other party." So far, only DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy have signed the document.
Trump was the first to qualify for the debate, given that he meets all of the requirements set by Ronna McDaniel: receive donations from at least 40,000 domestic taxpayers, the candidate must consistently obtain more than 1% in three national polls or in two national polls and one state while having "at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in more than 20 states and/or territories."
Finally, the candidate must not participate in external debates.