Former President Trump doubled down on his earlier assertions that he may skip Republican presidential primary debates on Wednesday.
Recent polls indicate that he is so far ahead that he does not need to engage. When you’re at the top, you don’t engage in debates.
Trump Doubts Republican Primary Debates
If you’re even or down, you engage in debates, but when you’re significantly ahead, what’s the point?” Trump said with hosts John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby on “The Cats & Cosby Show.”
So far, the Republican Party has announced plans for two primary debates, with the first scheduled for later this year in Milwaukee and the second to take place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California on an undetermined date. “They assert, ‘Why should we argue?’ I would have a hostile group of network anchors asking questions on a hostile network. Why on earth would I do that? Trump said.
Trump also reiterated his earlier concerns regarding the second planned GOP debate, pointing out that the chairman of the Reagan Library’s board of trustees is Fred Ryan, publisher of The Washington Post, a publication he has referred to as the enemy of the people.
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Desantis Avoids Polling Questions
Recent surveys have placed Trump at the head of a hypothetical Republican presidential primary. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) of Florida, who has not formally declared his candidacy, has emerged as a potential front-runner, despite recent polls showing Trump with a double-digit lead.
In contrast, other polling results indicate that the majority of Americans do not want Trump, who launched his 2024 campaign last year, to run for reelection.
Trump, however, stated on “The Cats & Cosby Show” that “DeSanctus is coming down hard,” using one of his favorite nicknames for the governor of Florida.
DeSantis dodged a question about presidential election polling in 2024 earlier this week, stating, “I’m not a candidate, so we’ll see if and when that changes.” Earlier this year, he indicated that he would decide whether or not to run for president after the Florida legislative session concludes in May.
Trump attempted to dissuade DeSantis from running earlier this month.
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