Trump Absent from RNC Primary Debate, Supporters Show Loyalty Outside Fiserv Forum

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The first Republican National Committee (RNC) primary debate took place Wednesday night at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, without former President Donald Trump. Instead, Trump opted for an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, which was made available on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, five minutes before the debate began.

The debate moderators asked the eight remaining GOP presidential hopefuls if they would support Trump if he were to become the party’s nominee, even if he were a convicted felon by then on charges in any one of the several indictments he faces. All six candidates present at the debate answered in the affirmative.

In the interview with Carlson, Trump explained why he did not attend the debate. “Do I sit there for an hour or two hours, whatever it’s going to be and get harassed by people that shouldn’t even be running for [president]? You see the polls have come out, I’m leading by 50 and 60 points,” Trump said.

Trump made little news in the roughly 45-minute interview. Supporters of the former president were seen carrying signs around the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in support of Trump.

The RNC’s first primary debate was a historic event, as it was the first time in decades that a sitting president did not participate. Trump’s absence from the debate is a sign of his influence in the Republican Party, and the loyalty of his supporters. It remains to be seen if Trump will participate in future debates, and if his absence will have any effect on the outcome of the primary race.