'There’s no upside for him': Donald Trump announces intent to avoid debate with Fox News moderator

03 May 2023

Former President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to skip an upcoming debate being moderated by Fox News anchor Bret Baier.

According to The New York Times, Trump — who is considered to be one of the top contenders for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination — is likely to forego participating in the first two political debates.

"Last month, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, Ronna McDaniel, announced that Fox News would host the first G.O.P. primary debate in Milwaukee in August," the news outlet explains. "The second debate will be held in Southern California at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library."

It has been noted that timing, among other things, might be another issue the former president is considering. "One reason Mr. Trump may skip the first debate is its timing — he believes it’s too early, and has told aides he does not want to debate in August," The Times explained. "Another reason is the host, Fox News."

Sharing details about Trump's private remarks to his aides, the news outlet reported:

In private comments to aides and confidants in recent weeks, Mr. Trump has made it clear that he does not want to breathe life into his Republican challengers by sharing the stage with them. Mr. Trump has led his nearest rival, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, by around 30 percentage points in recent polls. All other contenders are polling in single digits.

The report also sheds light on another angle Trump has mulled over. "For Mr. Trump, denying his low-polling rivals access to a massive television audience is part of his calculations in potentially skipping the debates, according to the people who have discussed the matter with him."

Speaking under the condition of anonymity, an individual with knowledge of Trump's frame of mind weighed in with his perspective, saying, “In his mind there’s not enough candidates who are polling close enough to him. And that if he does a debate this early with candidates who are polling in the single digits, there’s no upside for him.”

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