Just In: Trump Opts for Interview with Tucker Carlson, Skips First Republican Debate
Former President Donald Trump has decided to forgo the inaugural Republican presidential debate set for Wednesday. Instead, he is anticipated
Nik Richie
Former President Donald Trump has decided to forgo the inaugural Republican presidential debate set for Wednesday. Instead, he is anticipated to engage in an interview with former Fox News Host Tucker Carlson, as relayed by multiple sources familiar with his intentions, according to CNN’s Alayna Treene.
Recent discussions indicate that Trump has communicated his choice to close associates over the past 24 hours, confirming that he will not grace the debate stage next week.
The timing of the Tucker Carlson interview remains to be finalized, yet it is projected to coincide with the debate’s schedule, and the New York Times initially revealed details concerning the forthcoming Carlson interview.
Notably, CNN had previously reported on Trump’s expected absence from the debate, revealing that discussions had been underway between his campaign and Carlson for an interview that could serve as counterprogramming during the debate.
However, Trump’s advisors underscore the possibility that the former president might reverse his stance and decide at the eleventh hour to participate in the debate after all.
Trump’s relationship with Fox News, as well as Carlson, has been marked by both public and private clashes. Carlson departed from the network earlier this year following a high-profile defamation lawsuit settlement with Dominion Voting Systems.
Behind the scenes, Trump has floated the notion of skipping one or even both of the initial two Republican presidential primary debates, citing his commanding position in the polls. The subsequent debate is scheduled for September at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.
The forthcoming primary debate holds significance as it marks the kickoff for the 2024 election cycle. The timing is noteworthy, arriving slightly over a week subsequent to Trump’s fourth indictment, which pertains to his endeavors to challenge the 2020 election results in Georgia. Ongoing negotiations between his legal team and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ office about the specifics of his surrender are expected to persist into the following week, as previously reported by CNN. Trump faces a deadline of August 25 for surrendering.