The 2024 GOP primary may, in fact, be one for the history books.
At this time, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is now a candidate in the race, with his campaign viewed as posing the greatest chance of stopping Trump, who is also running, from getting the party’s nomination.
Within the next several months, debates are coming up. However, in order to engage in these debates, the Republican National Committee wants all contenders to sign a pledge to support whoever the eventual party’s nominee is.
According to breaking news from Washington Times, there is a real possibility that Trump will not sign this pledge after all.
Trump on Signing the Pledge
During remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Trump made it clear where he stands on signing the loyalty pledge in order to partake in debates.
DESANTIS: “If I’m the nominee, I will beat Biden. I will serve two terms and I will be able to DESTROY leftism in this country.”
“I’ve shown in Florida an ability to win huge swaths of voters…while also delivering the boldest agenda anywhere in the country.” pic.twitter.com/XFKj71T2ZB
— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) May 29, 2023
According to the former president, there are certain candidates who he wouldn’t be very pleased to back as the eventual GOP nominee. As far as signing the pledge, Trump claimed “we’ll see,” hence leaving it up in the air as to whether or not he’ll eventually support whoever wins the nomination.
RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has made it clear that any candidate on the debate stage will have to sign this pledge.
A Possible Opt-out From the Debates?
Even outside of the RNC loyalty agreement, Trump has previously hinted that he might not be too keen on partaking in the 2024 GOP primary debates.
This puts him in strong contrast against DeSantis, who’s been clear that he does believe Republicans should engage in the debates. The Florida governor and 2024 presidential candidate said Americans want to hear what the candidates have to say.
DeSantis to Trump: "I think we should debate. I think the people want to hear it. You know, I grew up blue collar working minimum wage jobs and learned nobody is entitled to anything in this world.” https://t.co/YAfb8gGoKN
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) May 29, 2023
DeSantis likewise stressed that as someone with a blue-collar background, he’s very well aware that no person is inherently entitled to anything.
Time will tell what presence, if any, Trump has in the upcoming debates for this election.
This article appeared in The Conservative Brief and has been published here with permission.
