Trump snubs GOP, voters by skipping debate – but expect him to still hog center stage

I don’t envy Ronna McDaniel her job.

The chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, which is organizing the first 2024 GOP presidential debate Wednesday in Milwaukee, up until a few days ago was still pleading with former President Donald Trump – the current GOP front-runner – to participate.

On Sunday, she said on Fox News that she was “holding out hope” Trump would come and that it was “so important” for the American people to hear from him.

Later that day, Trump dashed those hopes in a post on Truth Social: “New CBS POLL, just out, has me leading the field by ‘legendary’ numbers. …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!”

In typical Trump fashion, he’s eschewing the debate because he thinks his followers should just reanoint him, without going through the trouble (and debate prep) necessary to take on his primary opponents. It also gives him an out from answering for the four criminal indictments he’s facing.

As for McDaniel, it’s hard to see how this is anything but a slight to her – as well as to the Republican Party. This is what Trump does, however: He puts himself over everyone and everything else, no matter the cost.

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Trump should have debated, too

When I interviewed McDaniel on Monday, she reiterated her belief that “every candidate who qualified should debate.” That includes Trump, who certainly has met the RNC’s polling and donation benchmarks. What he refuses to do is sign a loyalty pledge to support the eventual nominee (even if it’s not him). And McDaniel said she won’t make an exception for Trump.

Yet she stopped short of criticizing Trump – who first chose her to lead the party following his election as president in 2016. McDaniel played a pivotal role in delivering Michigan for Trump, when she was then-leader of the state GOP.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with the RNC,” she said of Trump’s choice to snub the first debate. She thinks his team believes he’s so far ahead (which he is for now) that there’s no point in him taking shots from opponents.

Regardless, it’s yet another display of hubris and disrespect.

Another factor at play is Trump’s beef with Fox News, the host of the debate. He doesn’t like how the network has treated him since he lost the 2020 election, and Trump hopes to douse its ratings by doing a competing interview with former Fox News superstar Tucker Carlson, who now broadcasts a show on social media.

RNC strategy: Keeping it all about Biden

When asked about the implications for the 2024 election with the leading GOP presidential candidate facing a slew of criminal charges, McDaniel is adept at pivoting.

Rather than address that reality head on, McDaniel points to President Joe Biden’s flaws and the struggles Americans are enduring under his leadership. After all, her primary job is getting a Republican back in the White House.

“Voters are not as concerned about indictments as they are with inflation,” McDaniel said.

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She also highlighted the numerous investigations into the Biden family, as well as how Democratic policies are hurting the country, from the economy to crime – issues that are top of mind for voters.

“Democrats are on the crazy end of politics,” said McDaniel, pointing to Republicans‘ “commonsense” alternatives on taxes, energy and education.

In addition, Biden is struggling in the polls, and McDaniel thinks it’s a good sign for Republicans that he is pouring millions into what she calls a “massive ad campaign” that will run in key states – and coincide with the first GOP debate.

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Candidates can’t ignore Trump at debate

Debate co-moderators Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum – both Fox News anchors – have made it clear they intend to make Trump a focus of the debate, regardless of his decision not to show up.

That could prove challenging for the eight candidates who will be on the stage. A recent CBS News poll (the one Trump cited as rationale for not attending) found that more than 90% of GOP primary voters surveyed would rather contenders sell themselves rather than attack Trump.

Without Trump physically on stage, however, it will give other candidates more of a chance to distinguish themselves, as Trump dominates any debate with his theatrics. That is especially important for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is trying to hold on to his second-place status.

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As McDaniel pointed out, there are strong candidates who will be in Milwaukee, from governors and businesspeople to senators and former ambassadors. It’s also a diverse group, which hasn’t always been the case for Republicans.

“I’m very optimistic,” McDaniel said.

Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@usatoday.com or on Twitter: @Ingrid_Jacques 

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump snubs debate for Tucker Carlson, ignoring what's best for voters