Former President Donald Trump has decided to forgo the first Republican presidential primary debate in Milwaukee and instead release a prerecorded interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson on the same night. This exclusive information comes from a source who was briefed on the matter.
According to Trump advisers, the interview has already been recorded, but it’s unclear where it will be published. While Carlson now has a show on X (formerly known as Twitter), Trump views the platform as a competitor to Truth Social, which he helped create.
Although the news, first reported by the New York Times, has not been officially announced, Trump’s campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, stated, “We cannot confirm or deny – stay tuned.”
A reliable source close to Carlson suggested that the interview will most likely be aired online in a taped format. This decision is a significant blow to Fox News, which is hosting the first debate and has been losing viewership to other far-right news outlets. Fox personalities have urged Trump to participate in the debate, emphasizing the importance of his presence in the democratic process.
For weeks, Trump has been indicating in interviews and on social media that he has no intention of participating in the first GOP debate. In a post on his Truth Social account, he even questioned why he should attend a debate if the polls consistently show him leading by a significant margin.
Additionally, Trump’s team has been in talks with officials in Georgia regarding the scheduling of his surrender after he and 18 of his associates were criminally charged in connection with attempts to overturn Joe Biden’s 2020 victory in the state. Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis has set a deadline for noon on Friday for those charged to turn themselves in.
Notably, Fox News fired Carlson abruptly in April, shortly after settling a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems.
During a conservative conference on Friday, where several Republican presidential contenders made appearances, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized Trump for suggesting that he might not participate in the debate. DeSantis believes that all qualified candidates should partake in order to present their vision, address their record, and answer questions.
The Republican National Committee has not received an official decision from the Trump team regarding the interview with Carlson. However, if he does proceed with it, it could potentially impact the debate plans.
To qualify for the first debate, candidates must poll above 1% in three approved Republican National Committee polls and secure at least 40,000 individual donors. They are also required to pledge support to the eventual GOP nominee. If enough candidates meet these criteria, a second debate may be held on August 24.
These requirements aim to ensure that the party’s eventual nominee possesses strong grassroots support and is well-positioned to reclaim the White House in 2024, as stated by RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.
As of Saturday afternoon, several candidates, including Governor Ron DeSantis, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, Senator Tim Scott, Governor Doug Burgum, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former Governor Chris Christie, have qualified for the debate stage.
Note: Jeremy Barr and Maeve Reston contributed to this report.
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