Governor Ron DeSantis has voiced his disagreement with former President Donald Trump over the possibility of Trump skipping the primary debates and assuming entitlement to the 2024 nomination.
DeSantis firmly stated that he will be participating in the Republican National Committee (RNC) debates, irrespective of Trump’s attendance. The Florida governor also criticized Trump for disregarding significant primary events, such as the Iowa Family Leader Summit.
DeSantis emphasized the importance of allowing all qualifying candidates to present their platforms on the debate stage, highlighting that Trump’s defeat against President Joe Biden in 2020 raises questions about his suitability as the best candidate to challenge Biden once again. The first debate of the 2024 primary is scheduled to be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 23.
During an interview on the Howie Carr Show, DeSantis proclaimed, “Nobody is entitled to this nomination. You have got to earn the nomination.” He further stressed the significance of events like The Family Leader summit and debates as integral parts of the political process. DeSantis firmly declared his commitment to attending both the Iowa event and the first debate in Milwaukee, asserting that the American people deserve to hear directly from candidates about their visions for the country and their strategies to defeat President Biden.
While DeSantis has firmly committed to participating in the debates, Trump has not yet confirmed his presence in the first RNC debate in August. Speculation suggests that Trump perceives debates as beneath him, given his belief that he is running as the incumbent for a second time. DeSantis rejected this perception, expressing his rejection of the idea that Trump is above debating candidates trailing behind him in the polls.
Currently, only six out of the 15 candidates contending for the 2024 nomination have met the RNC qualifications to participate in the August debates. This includes Trump, DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, former Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, and biotech millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy. DeSantis expressed doubt about the strength of Trump’s platform compared to that of other candidates and emphasized the importance of showcasing it on the debate stage.
In an apparent snub, Trump is skipping The Family Leader forum hosted by Tucker Carlson in Iowa, opting instead to send pundit Kari Lake as his representative. This decision has drawn criticism from Bob Vander Plaats, President and CEO of The Family Leader, who stated that Trump’s absence and attacks on Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on Truth Social are not conducive to success in the state.
As the 2024 race heats up, DeSantis stands firm on his belief that no candidate should assume entitlement to the nomination, urging Trump to participate in debates and prove his worth to the American people through his vision for the country.