The 2024 Republican primary stage may be missing one podium in the coming months. Former President Donald Trump indicated that he may not participate in the Republican primary events on social media.

The former president wrote on Truth Social that “nobody got my approval, or the approval of the Trump campaign” prior to announcing the debate schedule. 

He said that he was leading “by seemingly insurmountable numbers” and that he did not want to be subjected to “TRUMP & MAGA hating anchors asking the ‘questions.’” 

https://youtu.be/oxpaU63Q5eQ

He asked, “why subject yourself to being libeled and abused?” 

The Republican National Committee scheduled a debate for August and another one at the Reagan Presidential Library. 

https://twitter.com/alexbruesewitz/status/1650906641141841927?s=20

Fox is set to host the first debate with the news channel partnering with Rumble and Young America’s Foundation, according to Republican National Committee (RNC) chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. 

She said that the RNC was looking “forward to hosting a fair and transparent platform with our great candidates.” 

She also said that the organization would ask candidates to pledge to support whoever the eventual Republican nominee is, stating that “it’s about beating Joe Biden.”

On Truth Social, Trump stated that Fred Ryan, chair of the Reagan Library’s board of trustees, was unacceptable. Ryan is the publisher of the Washington Post.

The former president has utilized previous debates to gain considerable attention for his earlier campaigns. While Trump was not leading in the polls early in 2016, he swiftly gained support during the primary debates against other Republican candidates. Trump’s unique form of speaking soon brought support from a number of Republican voters, including special attention from the working class.

However, should Trump reject participation in such future debates, he could inadvertently give attention to his declared and potential opponents.

The second planned debate performance in 2020 was canceled after the president contracted COVID-19. 

The Commission on Presidential Debates attempted to switch the debate format from in-person to virtual, but the president declined to take part. Instead, Trump held a rally, and the debate was canceled.