Former President Donald Trump boards his plane at Reagan National Airport following an arraignment in Washington, D.C., federal court on Aug. 3.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
There is a compelling case to suggest that Donald J. Trump emerged victorious in the initial Republican presidential primary debate. However, it is a troubling argument.
Despite not attending the debate last Wednesday night, Mr. Trump faces four serious and credible criminal indictments. These include hush-money payments to a porn actress during the 2016 presidential race, mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence after leaving office, and his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The day after the debate, he traveled to Georgia to face the state charges against him.
Given these circumstances, it seems highly unlikely that he could win a debate in the race for a major-party presidential nomination.
However, his eight challengers on the stage, six of them, raised their hands to express support for him as the potential GOP nominee, even if he is convicted. Only two, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchison and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, refused to do so. Even individuals critical of Mr. Trump, such as former Vice President Mike Pence and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, indicated that they would back him for president. Mr. Pence made this statement despite admitting that Mr. Trump wanted him to violate the Constitution by interfering with Congress’ certification of President Joe Biden’s victory in 2020 and declaring that “Anyone that puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States.”
It may be suggested that Mr. Trump avoided the debate because he was afraid to confront critics like Mr. Christie, Mr. Pence, and Ms. Haley. Perhaps he preferred to hurl insults on social media from the comfort and safety of his luxurious resort. Alternatively, it is possible that he genuinely believed that he was so far ahead in the primary race that debating would offer him no benefit.
However, debates are not primarily about benefiting a candidate but rather about informing the public. While candidates often dodge questions and stick to rehearsed talking points, even these performances can provide valuable insights. They allow voters to gauge a candidate’s substance, honesty, and ability to handle pressure.
Mr. Trump avoided this kind of accountability by opting for a pre-recorded interview with a friendly interviewer, Tucker Carlson, and seemingly chose to spend the evening practicing his scowls in the mirror for his Georgia mug shot the following morning.
By evading the debate and emerging unscathed, one could argue that Mr. Trump won. However, it was the Republican voters who ultimately lost. They should demand better from Mr. Trump, particularly if he becomes the party’s nominee. He should be on the debate stage, facing tough questions, instead of solely relying on adoring crowds and supportive media. Moreover, his opponents also owe the voters better than their calculated gestures towards a man who may potentially be the first convicted felon to run for president on a major ticket. Their reluctance and promised support not only downplay his numerous offenses but also risk endorsing them.
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