WASHINGTON: In the lead-up to the 2024 Republican primary debate, former President Donald Trump, who currently enjoys a substantial lead in polls despite multiple legal challenges, once again opted to skip the event, diminishing its significance. Trump’s decision not to participate in the debate comes on the heels of a New York judge’s ruling that he, along with his sons Eric and Don Jr., engaged in fraudulent practices by inflating the value of the Trump Organization’s real estate and financial assets over an extended period.
The 77-year-old, twice-impeached former president is also facing federal criminal charges related to the mishandling of classified documents and conspiracy charges for his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Instead of attending the debate, Trump planned to address both former and current autoworker union members in Michigan, a state steeped in the history of the US automotive industry and a crucial battleground for the upcoming election.
Trump’s visit to Michigan followed President Joe Biden’s appearance in the Midwestern state, where he made history as the first sitting US president to join a picket line, with both candidates vying to present themselves as champions of American workers.
Critics argue that Trump’s strategy of avoiding debates is intended to project himself as the inevitable Republican choice for the 2024 presidential election. Gerard Filitti, senior counsel at the Lawfare Project, suggested that Trump has little to gain from participating in debates, as they could raise questions about his past conduct and the legal charges he faces.
Majority of Republican Primary Voters Consider Trump Top Choice
Seven candidates met the qualifying criteria set by the Republican National Committee to participate in the debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in Simi Valley, California. Trump’s main rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, faced off against political newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, Trump’s former vice president Mike Pence, and his chief antagonist, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie. South Carolina Senator Tim Scott and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum rounded out the list of participants.
A recent NBC News poll showed that just under 60 percent of Republican primary voters consider Trump their top choice, with DeSantis trailing at 16 percent. None of the other candidates reached double figures in the poll. Trump’s legal troubles, including the recent ruling that could lead to his removal from managing the Trump Organization, have done little to diminish his lead. He has dismissed these legal challenges as a “witch hunt.”
Filitti cautioned that Trump’s decision to skip the debates might be seen as unwarranted arrogance by many Republicans who are not part of his core support base, as well as by independent voters. This could potentially harm his standing in the general election.
