Trump says he will skip Republican presidential debates

(Patria) - Former President of the United States Donald Trump said on Sunday he will skip the first Republican presidential debate on Wednesday as well as subsequent ones, AP reported.

"The public knows who I am and how successfully I presided," Trump wrote on social media. "THEREFORE, I WILL NOT DO THE DEBATES!" His spokesperson did not immediately clarify whether he plans to boycott all debates or only those currently scheduled.

The Republican frontrunner said he saw little advantage in joining rivals when they gather for the first time in Milwaukee on Wednesday, given his lead in the race.

"Why would I allow people with 1 or 2% and 0% to attack me with questions all night?" he said in a June interview with Fox News host Bret Baier, who will moderate the event.

Trump has also repeatedly criticized Fox, the host of the prime-time event on August 23, insisting it is a "hostile network" that he believes will not treat him fairly.

Trump has discussed numerous options for countering the debate, including an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who has a show on X, formerly known as Twitter. Carlson was spotted at Trump's golf club before the announcement, according to a person familiar with the visit who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak.

The New York Times reported on Saturday that an interview set to air on Wednesday has already been recorded.

"We cannot confirm or deny - stay tuned," Trump's spokesman Steven Cheung said.

This is just one of several ideas Trump has floated in conversations in recent weeks. They included making a last-minute appearance in Milwaukee or attending but sitting in the audience and offering live commentary on his Truth Social page. He has also discussed potentially calling into different networks to draw viewers away from the debate or holding a rally instead.