Trump Chooses Interview With Carlson Over First GOP Primary Debate
Former President Donald Trump might be opting for an exclusive interview with conservative media icon Tucker Carlson instead of participating in the first GOP primary debate, according to reports by NBC News.
🇺🇸 BREAKING: Donald Trump will be skipping the first GOP Presidential Nominee debate to instead do an interview with Tucker Carlson. pic.twitter.com/kwl39jhzOX
— Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸 (@jacksonhinklle) August 18, 2023
Sources close to the former President have revealed that his decision to skip the debate is rooted in his desire to engage in a more direct and focused conversation with his supporters. According to NBC News, which first broke the story, Trump is eager to sit down with Tucker Carlson to discuss his vision for the future of the Republican Party and the nation at large.
When questioned about Trump’s upcoming plans, a spokesperson for his campaign refrained from providing concrete details. “We haven’t confirmed anything on our end,” the spokesperson stated, leaving room for speculation about the nature of the upcoming interview.
The New York Times, citing individuals who are aware of the situation, reports that Trump intends to use his interview with Carlson as a platform to address the pressing issues facing the nation, while also highlighting his achievements during his tenure as President. The sources reveal that Trump, a dominant figure in the Republican presidential race, sees this interview as an opportunity to further solidify his connection with his loyal supporters.
Trump’s decision to bypass the debate has led to discussions about its potential impact on the GOP primary race. With his strong popularity among Republican voters, his absence could result in reduced interest and engagement in the debate, which is slated to take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 23.
Tucker’s interview with Trump will have 10 times the viewers of the Fox GOP debate.
— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) August 18, 2023
The former President has not been shy about his reservations regarding the debate. In a recent social media post on Truth Social, he wrote, “Many people are asking whether or not I will be doing the DEBATES? ALL AMERICANS have been clamoring for a President of extremely High Intelligence. As everyone is aware, my Poll numbers, over a ‘wonderful’ field of Republican candidates, are extraordinary.”
“In fact, I am leading the runner up, whoever that may now be, by more than 50 Points. Reagan didn’t do it, and neither did others. People know my Record, one of the BEST EVER, so why would I Debate? I’M YOUR MAN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he added.
However, his stance has drawn criticism from prominent figures within the GOP, including his political rival, Gov. Ron DeSantis who insists that he “owes it to the people” to show up at the debate.
“I have been in races where I had it in the bag. I was not out there attacking people that I was 40 or 50 points ahead of. So, he owes it to people to go up there and debate,” DeSantis argued during an interview on Wednesday,
The Florida governor further suggested that Trump’s reluctance to debate stems from a desire to avoid defending certain unfulfilled campaign promises from his 2016 run.
The Super PAC supporting DeSantis, “Never Back Down,” seized the opportunity to call out Trump’s decision in a recent ad. The ad juxtaposes Trump’s past criticisms of Democrats for avoiding debates with his current choice to do the same, emphasizing the need for a strong, resilient nominee who is unafraid to engage in rigorous debates and challenges.
