Former President Donald Trump said this week that he refuses to sign a pledge to support the GOP nominee if he does not with the nomination.
The pledge stands as one of the Republican Party's requirements to participate in its debates.
Trump Says He Won’t Sign Pledge To Support GOP Nominee If He Loses Primary https://t.co/ywz282ZpGU pic.twitter.com/I2gTmkoWfU
— Daily Wire News (@DailyWireNews) August 11, 2023
“I have a problem with the debate for another reason: I wouldn’t sign the pledge,” Trump said in an interview this week. “Why would I sign a pledge? There are people on there that I wouldn’t have.”
“I wouldn’t have certain people as, you know, somebody that I endorse,” he added. “So they want you to sign a pledge.”
Donald Trump said he won’t sign a pledge to support the Republican nominee if he loses the GOP presidential primary, flouting a requirement for appearing in the first debate. The former president said he will announce next week whether he’ll participate. https://t.co/o2uEKGDFte
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 10, 2023
"Trump said he will announce next week whether he’ll participate in the debate, scheduled for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, but his refusal to sign the pledge suggests he plans to make good on his threat to skip it," the Associated Press reported.
"Trump has repeatedly questioned why he should debate his rivals given his substantial polling lead and has suggested he might hold a competing event instead," it added.
So far, eight GOP candidates have met the party's requirements to participate in the first debate. They include former Vice President Mike Pence, who has been increasing his opposition to the former president after accusations made against him over his response to the 2020 election.
The eight candidates have agreed to the pledge to support the eventual GOP candidate. The requirement also includes agreeing not to run as an independent or third-party candidate.
Only candidate William Hurd has said he will not sign the pledge, stating that he would not vote for Trump as the nominee.
The election battle continues to increase as the first debate nears later this month between the Republican Party's contenders.
