Former President Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee (RNC) are at odds over Trump’s reported intention to skip the first GOP presidential debate next month.
RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has warned that it would be a “mistake” for Trump not to show up.
The first primary debate is set to take place on August 23rd in Milwaukee, WI and will be hosted by Fox News.
However, reports indicate that Trump may opt out of this event.
He has indicated that he will hold his own event simultaneously while also suggesting he would sit out the second debate as well.
McDaniel is urging Trump to join the other candidates on August 23rd arguing it is important for him to get in front of primary voters and highlight what she believes are Biden’s failures thus far.
She noted on Fox News that “I think it’s a mistake to not do the debate… getting in front of the American people, with the Fox audience that you’re going to bring, people are clamoring for solutions.”
This sentiment was echoed by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie who accused Trump of being “afraid” of debating while former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson suggested he was resorting to playing the “victim card.”
McDaniel stated further that “This is where our conversation begins, and why would you walk away from [sic] 20 million-person audience? Joe Biden has the legacy media on his side… We have an opportunity to take up all the oxygen in the room and get on that debate stage”.
When asked about participating in upcoming debates during an interview last week with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo ,the former president said “When you have a big lead, you don’t do it.”
He further argued “we have a lead of 50 and 60 points in some cases… why would you let somebody that’s at zero or at one or two or three be popping you with questions?”
Bartiromo also asked if there was any risk if he didn’t show up. In response he said “Or somebody else has a good night and cuts into his lead, because that’s what’s happening… I haven’t really made up my mind”.
