Summary:
- Former President Trump faces criticism from GOP rivals for planning to skip the first Republican debate in Milwaukee.
- Instead, Trump is considering an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
- Trump's decision to skip the debate draws accusations of cowardice.
- GOP competitors express varied opinions on Trump's debate absence.
- Legal concerns and potential indictment overshadow Trump's debate deliberations.
- Majority of Americans view charges against Trump in the Georgia election interference case as serious.
- Campaigning intensifies among Trump's opponents in key battleground states.
- Trump's fluctuating decisions and legal troubles shape the upcoming pivotal week.
Former President Trump slammed by some of his GOP rivals for planning to skip the first Republican debate next week in Milwaukee. Instead, we've learned Trump may sit down for an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
Tonight, with the first 2024 GOP debate just four days away, frontrunner Donald Trump is under fire for planning to skip it entirely. Chicken. Yeah, he doesn't want to stand up there and kind of face the music. He's a coward.
Sources tell ABC News Trump is instead strongly considering sitting down for an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Trump's campaign insists no final decision has been made. At least one of Trump's GOP competitors ambivalent. I have no issue with whatever decision he wants to make. If he's on there, great. If not, I'm fine with that as well. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sinunu, a vocal critic of Trump, sees the debate as a potential turning point.
He's been successful kind of being the victim, but as these candidates have an opportunity to kind of show themselves more on a national stage, that's where his numbers are only going to go down. Trump's legal woes are looming large over his debate deliberation. The candidates set to take the stage just days before the deadline for the former president to surrender at a jail in Georgia, where Trump faces a fourth indictment. This one for his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Trump has denied any wrongdoing. But according to our latest ABC News Ipsos poll, a majority of Americans think Trump's charges in the Georgia election interference case are serious or somewhat serious. Tonight, his opponents campaigning in that key battleground state, hoping to gain ground.
He's afraid of defending his record. And if I had his record, I'd be nervous about showing up too. I mean, let's face it, guys. By Wednesday, he's going to be out on bail in four different jurisdictions. Some harsh words there. Selena Wang joins us now from Washington. And Selena, this is setting up to be a pivotal week for Donald Trump and this presidential race.
So talk us through this. How is this likely to play out with this debate looming along with that deadline to surrender? Well, Mary, as you know, Trump is notorious for changing his mind at the last minute, so he could still join that debate stage if the RNC accepts his entry. Now, Trump in the Georgia case, he has until Friday to turn himself in. So while other candidates, they continue to hit the campaign trail. Trump expected to get his mug shot taken. Mary. Selena, thank you.
And welcome to World News. Tonight it is great to have you here with us. And tune in here tomorrow for this week. Tomorrow morning, Jonathan Carl interviews former Vice President Mike Pence as he prepares to take the stage for that first Republican primary debate.