Will rivals take advantage of Trump’s absence at GOP debate?

After meeting a number of thresholds set by the Republican National Committee, eight candidates have qualified for the Fox News showdown in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Wednesday.

They are set to meet on the debate stage at 21:00 EDT (01:00 GMT) for the first time in what may be the biggest-ever moment in the party’s young 2024 presidential primary.

Former President Donald Trump, who is also the overwhelming front-runner in the contest, won’t participate in the debate, however. His absence, nevertheless, could offer his rivals opportunity.

How And Where To Watch?

Expected to last approximately two hours, the highly-anticipated showdown will be broadcast on all of Fox’s platforms, including its streaming service, Fox Nation.

The contenders that made the cut had to meet strict criteria set by the committee, including chalking up 40,000 individual campaign donations.

They were also required to have sufficient support in national polls and had to sign a pledge to support the political party’s eventual presidential candidate.

Why Won’t Trump Participate?

Donald Trump, who has refused to sign the aforementioned pledge, has confirmed he won’t show up for the debate. But opinion polls have consistently placed him well ahead of his rivals.

Revealing the reason behind deciding to not participate, he took to his Truth Social platform on Sunday, writing: “The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had.”

Instead of attending the debate in-person, reports suggest Trump has recorded a pre-taped interview with a former Fox News host. It is likely to air at the same time as the debate.