Trump offered up some clarity this week on whether he will be attending the first GOP presidential debate on Fox News this month.
The debate is scheduled for August 23 in Milwaukee, but Trump has been sending out mixed signals about the debate.
He seemed to clear that up on Monday, hinting that he will be watching the debate to see who he wants to pick as his VP, reported Fox News.
Bad Strategy or Good?
While I understand Trump's strategy, I am of the belief that no matter how badly he would get attacked, and it would be bad, he needs to be at this debate.
I think it will be far worse for him not to show up on that debate stage because then it will clearly be open season on him… after all, who better to attack than the man that is not there to defend himself.
Even so, Trump hinted that on August 23, all he will be doing is watching.
Trump posted on Truth Social, "Let them debate so I can see who I MIGHT consider for Vice President!"
In the most recent polling, Trump leads the crowded field with 54 percent, with Ron DeSantis getting lapped three times at 17 percent.
The rest of the field is sitting at three percent or less, so this is clearly a two-horse race, with the rest of the field really hurting DeSantis at having any clear shot at Trump, but I suspect the field will thin out considerably after the first two primaries are cast, if not before.
If the field is not narrowed down to just DeSantis and Trump by South Carolina, this race is over, period.
As far as the debate is concerned, there are two things…
First, DeSantis and Ramaswamy are already out as VP, as is Chris Christie. Out of the entire field, I believe the only two people really interested in the position would be Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Nikki Haley.
Second, even though Trump will not be there, I would suspect he will be live posting on Truth Social to counter any attacks against him.
It will not have the same impact if he was there in person, but at least he will be there responding.
Even so, you better believe DeSantis and Christie are going to hit Trump hard for not showing up.
