Trump’s Absence from GOP Debates
Republican presidential hopefuls, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, are urging former President Donald Trump, who is currently leading the race for the party’s 2024 nomination, to join them in the upcoming debate in Iowa. Despite being the front-runner, Trump has been noticeably absent from all GOP debates this year. The debate, hosted by CNN, is scheduled to take place in Des Moines on January 10, just days before the crucial Iowa caucuses that kick off the GOP nomination process.
DeSantis and Haley: The Main Alternatives to Trump
DeSantis and Haley have been vying for the position of the primary alternative to Trump, who continues to maintain a significant lead in the polls, both in early-voting states and on a national level. The Republican National Committee has hosted four presidential debates this year, all of which Trump has chosen to skip. With no party-sponsored debates planned for January, the committee announced last week that candidates are free to participate in any forum or debate of their choice.
DeSantis and Haley Commit to Iowa Debate
DeSantis, who is banking on a strong performance in the Iowa caucuses to boost his campaign, committed to participating in the Iowa debate immediately after CNN announced the event on December 7. The Florida governor has been vocal in his criticism of Trump and Haley for not promptly agreeing to participate in the debate. He argues that their unwillingness to engage in the debate reveals a lot about their readiness to address key issues.
Haley Joins DeSantis in Calling for Trump’s Participation
On Friday, Haley accepted CNN’s invitation to join the Iowa debate and echoed DeSantis’s call for Trump to join them on stage. The former South Carolina governor stated, “As the debate stage continues to shrink, it’s getting harder for Donald Trump to hide.”
Details of the Upcoming Debate
CNN’s Republican presidential debate in Iowa is set to take place at 9 p.m. ET on January 10 at Drake University in Des Moines. The debate will be moderated by anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. To qualify for participation in the Iowa debate, candidates must receive at least 10% in three separate national and/or Iowa polls of Republican caucusgoers or primary voters that meet CNN’s standards for reporting. One of the three polls must be an approved CNN poll of likely Iowa Republican caucusgoers. The qualifying window for the debate closes on January 2.