The first GOP presidential primary debate took place on Wednesday, live on the Fox News Channel as well as Rumble, the RNC streaming partner for the debates.
Here are all the details including the full video, start time, and how to watch.
First Republican Presidential Primary Debate
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023
Time: 9 pm ET (8 pm CT, 7 pm MT, 6 pm PT)
Location: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sponsor: Fox News
Moderators: Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum
Full Video – First 2024 Republican Primary Debate (Aug. 23)
Here is the debate video courtesy of Rumble, the RNC exclusive online streaming platform for the 2024 GOP primary debates.
Hour 1
Hour 2
Alternate Video Link: Rumble.com
Qualified Candidates:
- Donald Trump (not attending)
- Ron DeSantis
- Vivek Ramaswamy
- Nikki Haley
- Tim Scott
- Chris Christie
- Doug Burgum
- Mike Pence
- Asa Hutchinson
Qualifying Standards:
- 1% or above in three national polls or two national polls and state poll
- Have at least 40,000 contributors nationally with at least 200 unique donors per state in 20+ states/territories
Order of candidates
With Donald Trump choosing to skip the debate, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy will share the center stage spot according to Fox News:
Watch on Cable/Satellite/Streaming
Fox News Channel will broadcast the event, with live coverage starting at 8 p.m. ET — an hour before the debate itself — and running past midnight. The debate begins promptly at 9 pm ET and will run approximately two hours.
Time: 9 pm ET (8 pm CT, 7 pm MT, 6 pm PT)
Cable/Satellite/Live TV: Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network
The debate will not be carried on YouTube or other video streaming platforms since the RNC is in an exclusive relationship with Rumble as a new media streaming debate partner.
What about Donald Trump?
Trump plans to skip the debate and will instead appear in a recorded interview with the former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. They plan to post the interview on X (formerly known as Twitter), to run alongside the debate. You can watch the Trump/Tucker interview here.
Where is the debate taking place?
Candidates will be on stage at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, the biggest city in Wisconsin, a battleground state that will also play host to the Republican National Convention next year.
Wisconsin has proven its importance as a swing state in recent election cycles. Four of the past six presidential elections have been decided by less than a percentage point there, with Trump winning narrowly in 2016.
Which candidates will be there?
The RNC confirmed Monday which candidates will be on the Milwaukee debate stage. The party set several markers that candidates needed to meet to qualify, including achieving benchmarks in polling and donor numbers, as well as signing a pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee.
Those expected to be on the stage are Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, ex-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
What about the second debate?
A second debate has been announced for Sept. 27 in California. Follow the 2024 debate schedule for full details and to stay informed on upcoming events.
