Candidates vying for the Republican Party's presidential nomination are set to square off on Wednesday evening in a debate hosted by Fox News.
Yet as the Daily Caller reported this weekend, the race's leading candidate has confirmed that he won't be participating.
Former President Donald Trump made the announcement in a post to Truth Social on Sunday, arguing that he has nothing to prove.
Trump declared, "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!"
That statement came in the wake of another Truth Social post in which Trump said, "Many people are asking whether or not I will be doing the DEBATES?"
"ALL AMERICANS have been clamoring for a President of extremely High Intelligence. As everyone is aware, my Poll numbers, over a 'wonderful' field of Republican candidates, are extraordinary," he insisted.
"In fact, I am leading the runner up, whoever that may now be, by more than 50 Points. Reagan didn’t do it, and neither did others. People know my Record, one of the BEST EVER, so why would I Debate? I’M YOUR MAN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump concluded.
The Daily Caller noted that this is not the first time Trump has expressed disdain for the idea of appearing on a debate stage with his Republican opponents.
During a June interview with Fox News host Bret Baier, the former president declared, "I like to debate. I don't mind it at all," but asked, "Why would I allow people at 1% and 2% and 0% to be hitting me with questions all night?"
Trump added, "Why would I let Ada Hutchinson--his name is Asa but I call him 'Ada' because, you know...why would I let him, Chris Christie who's got nothing going except 'I be tougher than Trump'--he's not tougher than anybody, he's slob, but why would I let these people take shots at me?"
In Part 2 of his sitdown, @BretBaier asks Trump if he's really gonna skip the Milwaukee debate in August.
Trump responds "I like to debate," then he calls Asa Hutchinson "Ada" ("for whatever reason"), Chris Christie a "slob," and RFK Jr. "JFK Jr.," who is a "very nice person." pic.twitter.com/dPehEDuRhp
— The Recount (@therecount) June 20, 2023
Trump's position as head of the GOP's pack appears to have solidified, with a recent poll showing him as having more support than all other candidates combined.
NATIONAL POLL
2024 GOP Primary
Trump 56%
DeSantis 10%
Ramaswamy 10%
Pence 3%
Christie 3%
Scott 2%
Haley 2%
11% undecidedhttps://t.co/FwyN8GcqJv— Emerson College Polling (@EmersonPolling) August 19, 2023
Carried out between August 16 and August 17 by Emerson College, it found that he is supported by 56% of Republican primary voters, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy tied for a distant second place.
