That makes two for two of the upcoming Republican presidential primary debates that tentacles of Fox News Media will host.
If you’re keeping score at home, here are the bullet-point details for both of the scheduled debates so far:
- First Debate – Milwaukee, WI – Aug. 23 (Fox News)
- Second Debate – Simi Valley, CA – Sept. 27 (Fox Business)
Visit and bookmark the 2024 Republican debate schedule for full details on each event with updated information as it becomes available including live stream, times, and moderators.
For the second GOP primary debate, set about a month after the first, the RNC has tapped Fox once against to host and moderate.
This time, at the Reagan Library in California hosted by the Fox Business Network:
FOX Business will host the second GOP presidential primary debate on Sept. 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in Simi Valley, California.
“FOX Business is proud to partner with Univision for the second Republican primary debate from the renowned Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to provide all Americans with an unparalleled opportunity to assess the candidates and their stances on critical issues ahead of the primary season,” FOX News Media President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace said.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) has now picked FOX News media to host the first two debates of the critical 2024 election cycle.
“FOX Business is proud to partner with Univision for the second Republican primary debate from the renowned Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to provide all Americans with an unparalleled opportunity to assess the candidates and their stances on critical issues ahead of the primary season,” FOX News Media President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace said.
Moderators and specific details about the second debate have yet to be released but should be out in the coming weeks.
Will Trump Debate?
The big question, however, is whether former President Donald Trump will join the debate stage for either event.
According to a report from CNN, the RNC is requiring candidates to sign a loyalty pledge and agree only to participate in sanctioned debates:
On Wednesday, CNN obtained a copy of the RNC’s candidate pledge that the party is requiring to participate in its debates. It prohibits participation in unsanctioned debates, requires candidates to support the Republican nominee in the general election and bars them from running as an independent or on another party’s line.
“I agree to appear in only Primary and General Election debates that have been sanctioned by the Republican National Committee, pursuant to Rule 10(a)(11) of The Rules of the Republican Party,” the pledge reads. “I acknowledge and accept that if I fail to sign this pledge or if I participate in any debate that has not been sanctioned by the Republican National Committee, I will not be eligible to participate in any further Republican National Committee sanctioned debates.”
Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have signed RNC loyalty pledges, a Republican source told CNN. Others have not yet signed, according to the source, but they are expected to this week.
In other words, the RNC is trying to force Donald Trump to participate in the debates or not participate at all, or something like that. If Trump were to host a forum or competing event the same night as the first debate, would the RNC bar him from participating in future debates?
Chris Christie has stated he will not support Trump as the nominee so will the RNC be enforcing this rule against Christie or is it a one-sided rule mainly written for Trump?
Trump remains coy on the subject but enjoys the rampant speculation fueled by his non-committal attitude toward the first debate. At his recent campaign stop in New Hampshire, Trump took the question to the audience:
"Should I do the debate?" President Donald J. Trump speaks in New Hampshire pic.twitter.com/A5kyaXL69w
— RSBN ?? (@RSBNetwork) August 8, 2023
The resulting consensus seems to be a mixed bag from Trump loyalists in the crowd. Many want to see him on the debate stage cleaning up against a group of candidates that will be unable to overcome his popularity and presence. Others, however, probably agree with the former president that it makes no sense to debate when you’re twenty or thirty points ahead.
Everything kicks off this month on Aug. 23 with the first GOP debate in Milwaukee followed by the second GOP debate on Sept. 27 in California. Stay updated by following the 2024 GOP debate schedule.
