Donald Trump Jr. to Attend First Republican Debate in Wisconsin

Donald Trump Jr. (R) and Kimberly Guilfoyle stand on stage as they address the Conservative Political Action Conference being held in the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 26, 2021. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Donald Trump Jr. said on Monday that he will travel to Wisconsin to attend the first Republican presidential primary debate, even though his father has decided not to take part in the event.

“We’re excited to see all of our friends in Milwaukee who want to Make America Great Again!!!” Mr. Trump Jr. wrote on social media platform X, which is formerly known as Twitter.

Before publishing his post, he and Kimberly Guilfoyle told Daily Caller that the pair will take part in the debate, saying that they are “confident that in 2024, GOP voters will reject the RINO establishment and re-nominate President Trump in a landslide.” According to the outlet, they will conduct interviews for former President Donald Trump and promote their Rumble shows.

Trump’s campaign also confirmed Trump Jr. will be in Wisconsin, telling The Hill that he will serve as a media surrogate for his father.

On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social that he won’t attend the debate, which is to be held on the evening of Aug. 23 and hosted by Fox News.

“New CBS POLL, just out, has me leading the field by ‘legendary’ numbers. TRUMP 62%, 46 Points above DeSanctimonious (who is crashing like an ailing bird!), Ramaswamy 7%, Pence 5%, Scott 3%, Haley 2%, Sloppy Chris Christie 2%, ‘Aida’ Hutchinson 1%,” President Trump wrote.

President Trump added: “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!”

The CBS poll, which inquired 538 likely Republican primary voters from Aug. 16 to 18, found Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is widely considered Mr. Trump’s biggest challenger, in a distant second with 16 percent of support.

Instead of taking part in the debate, President Trump is going to sit down for an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Also on Monday, President Trump said he will surrender to authorities at Fulton County jail in Georgia on Aug. 24, over charges in connection to his efforts to dispute the state’s 2020 election results.

Former President and 2024 presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Windham High School in Windham, N.H., on Aug. 8, 2023. Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

Debate

Republican presidential hopefuls need to meet polling and donor requirements set by the Republican National Committee (RNC) in order to qualify for the Aug. 23 debate. On Monday night, the RNC announced that eight candidates have met its requirements and will take part in the debate.

The eight candidates are Mr. DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.).

Republican conservative radio host Larry Elder, who announced his 2024 White House bid in April, declared on Monday that he has also qualified for the debate. However, according to Arizona Republican Kari Lake, Mr. Elder is not allowed to join the debate.

“I just hung up with Larry Elder and he tells me that the RNC will not allow him at the debate,” Ms. Lake wrote on X. “He has three polls showing him over 1% which would qualify him, but he’s been told that one of the polls may have been affiliated with Trump so they won’t accept it.”

“Larry is an important voice. He speaks eloquently about school choice and education freedom—more so than anybody I know,” Ms. Lake continued. “We need Larry Elder’s voice at the Republican debate. Who agrees?”

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) has announced that he will travel to Wisconsin for the debate.

“I look forward to attending Wednesday’s RNC Republican Primary Debate in Milwaukee. As Co-Chair of the RNC’s Bank Your Vote campaign, I look forward to engaging with voters and fellow conservatives as we fight to save our country,” Mr. Donalds wrote on X on Aug. 21. “See you there!”

Meanwhile, Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga) and Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) will speak on Right Side Broadcasting Network (RSNB) on Rumble at 11 p.m. ET on Aug. 23 to give their post-debate analysis.