by Sharon Rondeau
(Oct. 22, 2023) — In a post on Sunday morning, 45th President and 2024 presidential candidate Donald J. Trump wrote that “those in charge” of the remaining 2024 presidential debates, apparently the Republican National Committee (RNC) which has scheduled them, wish to cancel at least one additional debate set for November 8.
The website of the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) indicates it is not involved in the process since the “general election” season has not yet arrived.
The November 8 debate, the third of its type in the presidential primary season, is to be hosted by NBC News at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County located in Miami beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Trump often touts his poll numbers against other Republican presidential candidates, which have shown a consistent increase in recent weeks, particularly since his arraignment in New York City on April 4.
His appearance there began a process by which he is charged in four separate sets of indictments with “conspiracy” and mishandling of classified documents, among other accusations, from jurisdictions Fulton County, GA; New York State; Washington, DC; and Florida.
A civil case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James is also proceeding, alleging Trump “defrauded lenders, insurers and other entities,” a claim the Trump family denies.
Trump’s commentary refers to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who he calls “DeSanctus” or “DeSanctimonious,” and Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who he now calls “Birdbrain.”
“DeSanctus is hovering at around 8% now, and heading down,” Trump wrote. “Birdbrain, who said she would never run against ‘President Trump, one of the best presidents ever,’ looks like she may actually catch Ron for a very distant 2nd place. Those in charge are desperately trying to cancel the remaining debates. The last one had the lowest television ratings in Debate history! We should all focus on beating the WORST & MOST INCOMPETENT PRESIDENT, BY FAR, IN U.S. HISTORY, CROOKED JOE BIDEN!”
His post follows a similar one issued Friday in which he recommended Republicans refrain from debating altogether and unify around ousting Biden:
Wow! Looks like Ron DeSanctimonious has fallen to 3rd place, and heading down, in his ridiculous run to be President. Destroying Social Security and Medicare hasn’t exactly helped him! In the important Emerson Poll, he’s dropped to 8%, 51 Points behind his favorite President, ME. Birdbrain, who may be even worse, is fighting it out with others for a very distant 2nd place. The last debate was the lowest rated debate in history. The next and probably last one, in Miami, will do even worse. Republicans should not debate, they should UNITE in defeating the WORST & MOST INCOMPETENT ADMINISTRATION IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
According to Politico on Friday, NBC is not the only sponsor of the November 8 debate, but rather, shares the role with the Salem Radio Network, the Republican Jewish Coalition, and Rumble.
Many outlets have focused on Trump’s absence from the first two debates; he similarly plans to appear at an alternate event on November 8, also in Florida.
According to Reuters and other sources, the RNC has raised the qualifications for candidates to take part in the third debate. “To qualify for the debate, a candidate will need to receive at least 4% in two national polls or 4% in one national poll as well as 4% in a poll in at least two ‘early states,'” the outlet reported October 17. “Those early states are Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, all of which are among the first to hold nominating contests. The Republican National Committee has laid out several requirements for surveys to count toward this requirement, including that they must take place after Sept. 1.”
“Candidates will also be required to have at least 70,000 unique donors, including at least 200 donors from 20 or more states or territories,” Reuters added. “They also must sign a pledge which requires participants to support the eventual Republican nominee.”
According to Politico Friday, only three candidates meet those requirements: Haley; former businessman and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and DeSantis.
Previous debates this season were held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA on September 27 and Milwaukee, WI on August 23. As of this writing, a fourth debate does not appear to have been scheduled, though it may be contemplated.