Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel issued a warning of sorts to former President Donald Trump on Wednesday regarding his reported intention to skip the first GOP presidential debate next month.
In an appearance on Fox News, McDaniel said she believes it’ll be a “mistake” on his part if he doesn’t show up.
McDaniel was responding to previous reports that Trump will likely opt out of the first debate, which will be hosted by Fox and take place in Milwaukee, Wis. He has suggested that he will hold his own event simultaneously while also suggesting he would sit out the second debate as well.
Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel issued a warning of sorts to former President Donald Trump on Wednesday regarding his reported intention to skip the first GOP presidential debate next month.
In an appearance on Fox News, McDaniel said she believes it’ll be a “mistake” on his part if he doesn’t show up.
McDaniel was responding to previous reports that Trump will likely opt out of the first debate, which will be hosted by Fox and take place in Milwaukee, Wis. He has suggested that he will hold his own event simultaneously while also suggesting he would sit out the second debate as well.
In a wide ranging interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo last week, the former president gave his reasons for not wanting to enter the debate stage against his other primary opponents.
“I want to begin with the state of play of this election, with now the election over a year away and the first GOP primary debate a month or so away. Will you be on that stage? Are you participating in the upcoming debate?” the host said.
“Well, it’s a — quite an easy question normally. Ronald Reagan didn’t do it, and a lot of other people didn’t do it. When you have a big lead, you don’t do it,” the former president said.
“And we have a lead of 50 and 60 points in some cases, and some of these people are at zero,” he added.
“And so you’re leading people by 50 and 60 points, and you say, why would you be doing a debate? It’s not — it’s actually not fair. Why would you let somebody that’s at zero or at one or two or three be popping you with questions?” Trump noted further.
“Well, I mean, do you see any risk that, if you don’t show up, Ron DeSantis has a good night, and it cuts into your lead?” the host said.
“Or somebody else has a good night and cuts into his lead, because that’s what’s happening. He’s going down, and a couple of them are going up,” Trump said in response.
“I think Vivek has done a very good job, frankly. I think some others have done a good job. So I haven’t really made up my mind,” he added, referencing fellow GOP candidate and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.