Former President Trump was met with a chorus of “no” when he asked attendees at a rally in Erie, Pa., on Saturday if he should participate in the first GOP presidential debate next month.
Trump noted that he has received many questions about whether he will attend the first debate hosted by Fox News in Milwaukee on August 23. he hinted who could skip the debate, arguing that Fox is a “hostile network” and his solid poll that positions him as the favorite should mean that there is no need to debate with the rest of the candidates who are far behind him.
“I’m going to stand with guys at 0, 1, 2, 3 percent, maybe 4, and have them ask me hostile questions?” said saturday
“Should I go up there with 10 or 12 hostile people and a hostile network and be abused with terrible questions?” Trump asked the crowd.
The response was a parade of “no,” followed by widespread applause after he asked if he should skip.
His comments come as he continues to receive pressure of other GOP candidates to attend the debates.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who has polled second most consistently to Trump in primary polls, said in an interview with Newsmax earlier this month that no one is “entitled” to the nomination, and the nominee should win it.
“I think he should come forward and make his case and answer questions like the rest of us,” DeSantis argued.
“I think I should debate. I’m going to debate; I’ll be there,” he added. “I think it’s a great opportunity for us to have a great discussion about the future of the country.”
Conservative businessman Vivek Ramaswamy told NBC News he “wouldn’t let him out” if he didn’t attend the debate. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley also said Trump should appear on the debate stage to address his legal challenges.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) said last month that Trump “can’t avoid” debates in his presidential race. He said the former president not appearing would not be “fair” and would be “disrespectful” to Republican voters.
Trump said Saturday that he has not “made any commitments one way or the other.”
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