Defiant Trump Says He’ll Skip Every GOP Primary Debate

It’s not just the first Republican presidential primary debate.

Former President Donald Trump announced he intends to skip every GOP debate, citing a CBS News poll showing his growing frontrunner status despite his legal issues.

As Mediaite reports:

Earlier this week, the New York Times first reported that Trump will skip next week’s RNC debate hosted by Fox News, and instead release a pre-taped interview with ex-Fox host Tucker Carlson while the live debate unfolds. Previously, top executives at Fox urged the former president during a private dinner at his Bedminster club to attend the event.

Trump routinely mused with supporters and close aides that he may not participate in the primary debates. According to most national polling data, Trump is by far the frontrunner in the crowded GOP field.

The former president cited a CBS poll that shows him beating the other candidates with 62% support as reasoning for why he will “not be doing the debates.”

“New CBS POLL, just out, has me leading the field by “legendary” numbers. TRUMP 62%, 46 Points above DeSanctimonious (who is crashing like an ailing bird!), Ramaswamy 7%, Pence 5%, Scott 3%, Haley 2%, Sloppy Chris Christie 2%, “Aida” Hutchinson 1%,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump continued, “The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had, with Energy Independence, Strong Borders & Military, Biggest EVER Tax & Regulation Cuts, No Inflation, Strongest Economy in History, & much more. I WILL THEREFORE NOT BE DOING THE DEBATES!”

Hours before Trump’s announcement, RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel expressed hope in a Fox News appearance that the former president would attend the first debate. (RELATED: Insiders Say Trump To Forgo GOP Debate For Tucker Carlson Exclusive)

The latest general election polls show President Biden and Trump virtually tied in a hypothetical matchup.

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