The former president’s apparent decision to skip the first debate is a major affront both to the Republican National Committee and to Fox News, which is hosting the event.

    • neptune@dmv.social
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      1 year ago

      I think it’s a power move. The GOP is nothing without his base. He’s forcing that point. Viewer numbers are what feeds his ego.

        • neptune@dmv.social
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          1 year ago

          Maybe both. Obviously Tucker will give him softballs. But it’s a competition he’s more comfortable with: collecting eyeballs.

        • Oderus@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          He’s too privileged and stupid to be scared. He’s certain he’ll get away with whatever he does regardless of what that is.

          I agree with others saying this is a power move. By not going, he basically proves that many Republicans won’t watch which means less views which means Trump can say, without lying, that because he didn’t show the views were down.

          • hitmyspot@aussie.zone
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            1 year ago

            Oh, I agree it’s a move. But the Republicans also offer something he craves. Legitimacy and attention. He doesn’t hold all the cards.

            Lol, like he cares if any of his claims need to be true. He doesn’t know what is or isn’t true, not does he care. He says whatever suits his needs in the moment.

        • ImFresh3x@sh.itjust.works
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          1 year ago

          He’s got nothing to lose by not going, and everything to lose by going to the debate. He’s the clear nominee at this point. The GOP is Trump. It’s almost beneath him at this point to enter a debate with those others. And he’s making that point. The GOP is that far gone. Without someone like Trump what’s left of their electorate will not vote.

      • Especially_the_lies@startrek.website
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        1 year ago

        Exactly. Why go and share a stage with a bunch of people who are trailing him so much in the polls when he can go sit down with Tucker Carlson and get all the attention.

      • PaulDevonUK@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        I think it’s a power move.

        Seriously? More likely he knows he will get his arse handed to him in a debate.