Trump on GOP Loyalty Pledge: Nope

Former POTUS has already said he might skip first Republican presidential debate
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 10, 2023 1:30 AM CDT
Trump: No, I Won't Sign GOP Loyalty Pledge
Republican president candidate former President Donald Trump dances at the conclusion of his remarks at a campaign rally, Tuesday Aug. 8, 2023, at Windham High School in Windham, N.H.   (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Former President Trump said Wednesday he won't sign a pledge to support the Republican nominee if he loses the GOP presidential primary, flouting a requirement for appearing in the first debate later this month, the AP reports. "Why would I sign it?" Trump said in an interview on the conservative cable network Newsmax. "I can name three or four people that I wouldn't support for president. So right there, there's a problem." He declined to name the candidates he wouldn't support, saying "there's no reason to insult them." But he singled out South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy for praise, saying they "have been very nice."

Trump said he will announce next week whether he'll participate in the debate, scheduled for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, but his refusal to sign the pledge suggests he plans to make good on his threat to skip it. Trump has repeatedly questioned why he should debate his rivals given his substantial polling lead and has suggested he might hold a competing event instead. On Wednesday, he pushed back against former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's taunts, telling Newsmax's Eric Bolling that there's no upside to participating in a debate when he's already leading by a wide margin. "Its not a question of guts. It's a question of intelligence," Trump said.

Eight candidates say they have met qualifications to be on stage in Milwaukee; in addition to polling and donor requirements, they also must sign a statement pledging not to participate in any debates not sanctioned by the party, including the general election debates sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates, and to support the winner of the Republican primary. "I affirm that if I do not win the 2024 Republican nomination of President of the United States, I will honor the will of the primary voters and support the nominee in order to save our country and beat Joe Biden," the pledge says, according to a copy posted by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter. Candidates also must pledge not to run as an independent, write-in candidate, or third-party nominee.

(More Election 2024 stories.)

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