With his larger-than-life persona, President Donald Trump has always been a figure of fierce resolve. As the Washington Examiner, Newsmax, NBC News and other sources reported, Trump is considering an audacious move – skipping the first GOP presidential debate and holding a separate event concurrently in August. While some might view this as a risky maneuver, it seems a calculated choice from a man who has built his political and business empire on a series of bold decisions.
This development surfaced after Trump expressed dissatisfaction over Fox News’ coverage of his activities. On his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “So Fox News, which is down 37% in the Ratings, doesn’t cover my getting the ‘Man of the Decade’ Award in Michigan or my Keynote Speech for Faith & Freedom in D.C., and then wants me to show up and get them ratings for their ‘Presidential’ Debate, where I’m leading the field by 40 points.”
They need him more then he needs them. https://t.co/JBArxpkrKI
— The Reckoning 💥 (@sethjlevy) June 29, 2023
Trump has been a crucial figure for the GOP, often considered the party’s most compelling asset. His potential absence from the debate would deprive the Republican National Committee (RNC) and Fox News of his magnetic force. He added, “All they do is promote, against all hope, Ron DeSanctimonious, and he’s dropping like a rock. Sorry FoxNews, life doesn’t work that way!!”
A confidant said, “He shops opinions with everyone and will get, like, 100 different opinions.” But the final decision? It lies solely in Trump’s hands, reflecting the man’s indomitable will. The former president has not yet made a final decision, but, as the source said, “if he does not debate, I doubt he’s staying home.”
Such a move by Trump has precedent. In 2016, he notably skipped the final GOP debate before the Iowa caucuses to hold a veterans’ fundraiser. While he didn’t clinch Iowa, he did secure the GOP nomination and, subsequently, the presidency. This history paints the current scenario as less of a gamble and more of a strategic choice.
Several advisers see little incentive for Trump to mix it up with candidates far below him in the polls, a sentiment echoed by a top aide. “Why would he elevate the likes of ‘Ada’ Hutchinson?” the aide queried, alluding to GOP hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
The suggestion that Trump would be the center of a Republican debate in absentia is substantial, considering his profound impact on the party over the past eight years. Trump’s debate participation, or absence, and the public reaction are critical components of the impending election scenario.
In Concord, Matt Poulin, a Trump supporter and business owner, said, “I’m not concerned about him not debating.” Others, such as Carla Gericke, a libertarian-minded Free State Project leader, said it’s up to Trump.
Trump’s decision will inevitably serve as a defining moment, sending a clear message about his conviction and resolve. As a man who has consistently done things his way, Trump’s potential decision to side-step the debate while still capturing public attention demonstrates his unwavering belief in his vision for America. It’s a high-stakes play that Donald Trump may be uniquely equipped to make.
