The first televised debate ahead of the US Republican primaries will be without former President Donald Trump.
“The public knows who I am and what a successful presidency I’ve had,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, a platform he co-founded. “I will therefore not take part in the debates,” Trump continued in capital letters. He indicated that he would not only stay away from the first debate on Wednesday, but also from other internal party television debates of his party.
Republican primaries next year
Trump’s announcement comes as no surprise. Media had previously reported, citing people involved in the matter, that Trump would not be there on Wednesday. Trump had already indicated the decision. There has been speculation as to whether Trump might instead give an interview to Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who was recently fired. That would be an affront to the Republican Party and the right-wing TV station.
Among the participants in the debate are, for example, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former US Vice President Mike Pence and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. The Republican primary will be held from January to June next year, with the presidential election in November 2024.
Four charges against Trump
Trump is way ahead in internal party polls. So far, the investigations against him in surveys have not harmed the former real estate mogul. Trump is the first ex-president in US history to face criminal charges. There are four charges against him in total.
Recently, some conservative lawyers had argued that Trump could not be president again because of his attempts to overturn the election results of the 2020 presidential election. They justified this with the 14th amendment. In her view, there is no need for a criminal conviction for rioting in order to be expelled from office. The view is not shared by all legal scholars – ultimately the Supreme Court would have to decide.
