Former President Donald Trump has decided to skip the first Republican presidential debate and instead sit for an interview with former Fox News Host Tucker Carlson, according to multiple sources familiar with his plans. Trump has been informing those close to him over the past 24 hours about his decision not to participate in the debate. The timing for the Carlson interview has yet to be determined but is expected to air around the same time as the debate.
This move comes as no surprise, as CNN previously reported that Trump was not expected to take part in the debate and that his campaign had been in talks with Carlson about a potential interview as counterprogramming for the event. However, Trump’s advisers have added that he could still change his mind and decide to attend the debate at the last minute.
Trump has had a contentious relationship with Fox News, as has Carlson, who left the network earlier this year after it settled a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems. The former president has publicly and privately considered skipping one or both of the first two Republican presidential primary debates due to his lead in the polls. The second debate is scheduled for September at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.
The upcoming primary debate on Wednesday marks the beginning of the 2024 cycle. It comes just over a week after Trump was indicted for the fourth time, this time for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Negotiations between his lawyers and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ office regarding the details of his surrender are expected to continue into next week. Trump faces an August 25 deadline to surrender.
Please note that this story has been updated with additional reporting.
What impact does President Trump’s decision to skip the first Republican presidential debate and opt for an exclusive interview with Tucker Carlson have on the 2024 election cycle?
Former President Donald Trump has made a bold decision to skip the first Republican presidential debate and opt for an exclusive interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Multiple sources familiar with his plans have confirmed this surprising move. Trump has been personally informing his close associates about his choice not to participate in the debate, which has raised eyebrows among political observers.
The timing of the interview with Tucker Carlson has not been finalized yet, but it is expected to air around the same time as the debate. This strategic decision by Trump doesn’t come as a shock, as CNN had previously reported that he was unlikely to participate in the debate. Rumors had been circulating that his campaign was in talks with Carlson for a potential interview, serving as counterprogramming for the event. However, Trump’s advisers have left the door open for a last-minute change of heart, indicating that he might still attend the debate.
Trump’s relationship with Fox News has been tumultuous, and the same can be said for Carlson, who parted ways with the network earlier this year after it settled a defamation lawsuit involving Dominion Voting Systems. The former president, who is leading in the polls, has publicly and privately contemplated skipping one or both of the initial Republican presidential primary debates. The second debate is scheduled for September at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.
The upcoming primary debate on Wednesday marks the start of the 2024 cycle, generating significant anticipation among political enthusiasts. It arrives just over a week after Trump was indicted for the fourth time, this time for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Ongoing negotiations between Trump’s legal team and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ office regarding his surrender details are expected to continue into next week. Trump is facing an August 25 deadline to surrender.
Please note that this story has been updated with additional reporting to provide the latest information.
Wow, this is a bold move by Trump. Can’t wait to see what happens during the interview with Tucker Carlson.