The upcoming Republican primary debate, hosted by Fox News, has been the subject of much speculation and anticipation as to whether former President Donald Trump will participate. Fox News executives have been making a concerted effort to convince Trump to attend the debate, arguing that it is important for the GOP base.[0] In fact, Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott and network president Jay Wallace even dined with Trump at his Bedminster golf club in an attempt to make their case.[0]
Sources familiar with the dinner say that the conversation was wide-ranging, but when Trump asked why Fox News had fired Tucker Carlson, Scott and Wallace refused to provide an answer. This refusal seemingly fueled Trump’s belief that firing Carlson was a grave mistake. As the debate draws nearer, Fox News hosts and commentators have become increasingly desperate to secure Trump’s participation.[1] They have emphasized the entertainment value of seeing Trump debate and have argued that he is the best person to present his message to the American people.[2]
However, not everyone at Fox News is convinced that Trump’s presence is necessary. Some of the network’s competitors, such as Newsmax, have urged Trump to skip the debate, claiming that Fox owner Rupert Murdoch is biased against him.[3] Newsmax has even floated the idea of hosting a competing town hall event featuring Trump.[3] Despite these efforts, Fox News remains determined to have Trump on the debate stage.
The first Republican primary debate is scheduled for August 23, and it is still uncertain whether Trump will participate.[3] The debate will be co-hosted by Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.[4] Trump’s absence would undoubtedly be glaring, given his status as the current frontrunner. Fox News has also announced that they will host a second debate in September, to be aired on Fox Business.[2] The moderators for this debate have not yet been announced, but it is expected to feature a smaller batch of candidates due to increased qualifying thresholds set by the Republican National Committee.[4]
The hosts of Fox News’ morning show, Fox & Friends, have been particularly vocal in their plea for Trump to attend the debate. They have emphasized the importance of not taking voters for granted and have expressed their desire to see how the candidates interact on stage.[4] They believe that Trump’s participation would be good for ratings and would provide him with an opportunity to set the record straight.
Overall, the debate over Trump’s participation in the upcoming Republican primary debate has highlighted the intense interest and anticipation surrounding the event. Fox News executives and hosts are pushing for Trump to attend, while some of the network’s competitors are urging him to skip the debate. Only time will tell whether Trump ultimately decides to participate and what impact his presence, or absence, will have on the debate and the wider Republican primary race.
0. “Donald Trump’s Legal Peril May Propel Him Into the GOP Debate: “He Wants to Be Center Stage”” Vanity Fair, 8 Aug. 2023, https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/08/donald-trump-indictment-peril-gop-debate
1. “‘Fox & Friends’ Reduced to Begging Trump to Attend Fox’s GOP Debate” The Daily Beast, 9 Aug. 2023, https://www.thedailybeast.com/fox-and-friends-reduced-to-begging-trump-to-come-to-fox-gop-debate
2. “‘Don’t Take the Voters for Granted’: Fox & Friends Pleads for Trump to Show Up for Fox’s 2024 Republican Debate” Mediaite, 9 Aug. 2023, https://www.mediaite.com/tv/dont-take-the-voters-for-granted-fox-friends-pleads-for-trump-to-show-up-for-foxs-2024-republican-debate/
3. “Fox News begs for Trump to join primary debate, while competitors tell him to jump ship” Media Matters for America, 8 Aug. 2023, https://www.mediamatters.org/newsmax/fox-news-begs-trump-join-primary-debate-while-competitors-tell-him-jump-ship
4. “Fox News Hosts Beg Trump to Attend GOP Primary Debate: ‘Don’t Take the Voters for Granted’ (Video)” TheWrap, 9 Aug. 2023, https://www.thewrap.com/fox-news-hosts-beg-trump-to-appear-republican-debate/
