RNC sets 2024 debate rules amid Trump attendance doubts.

2024 Presidential Debate Criteria Released by RNC

The Republican National Committee has released its criteria for the 2024 presidential debate, with the first scheduled to take place in Milwaukee on August 23. However, former President Donald Trump, the current front-runner candidate, has made no indication that he will accept the debate rules and has previously said he may skip the dates.

RNC debate rules include a signed pledge agreement that Trump has refused to say he will endorse. All candidates must agree not to participate in any non-RNC-sanctioned debate for the remainder of the election cycle, sign a pledge to support the eventual Republican presidential nominee, and sign an RNC data-sharing agreement at least 48 hours before the first debate.

Will Trump Play by the Rules?

Trump has indicated that he won’t play by the RNC rules, stating on Truth Social in late April, “I see that everybody is talking about the Republican Debates, but nobody got my approval, or the approval of the Trump Campaign, before announcing them. When you’re leading by seemingly insurmountable numbers, and you have hostile Networks with angry, TRUMP & MAGA-hating anchors asking the ‘questions,’ why subject yourself to being libeled and abused?”

Despite Trump’s threats, the RNC is still requiring a pledge for Republican hopefuls to support whoever wins the nomination.

Qualifications for GOP Hopefuls

The polling qualifications for any 2024 GOP hopefuls include:

• Receiving at least 1% in three national polls OR 1% in two national polls and 1% in one early state poll from two separate early nominating states such as Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.
• Survey at least 800 registered likely Republican voters through live calls, integrated voice response, online panels, and/or text message.
• Properly weight responses of any individual cohort beyond the margin of error of the poll.
• Ask the question on presidential preference prior to any question which may allow potential bias.
• The poll can’t be conducted by a polling company affiliated with a candidate or candidate committee.
• The requirements for the poll must be met 48 hours prior to the first scheduled debate and must be conducted on or after July 1, 2023.

The fundraising qualifications include:

• A minimum of 40,000 unique donors to the candidate’s principal presidential campaign committee (or exploratory committee).
• At least 200 unique donors per state or territory in 20-plus states and/or territories.
• The requirements must be met 48 hours before the first debate.

“The RNC is committed to putting on a fair, neutral, and transparent primary process and the qualifying criteria set forth will put our party and eventual nominee in the best position to take back the White House come November 2024,” said RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.

What Happens if Trump Participates?

If Trump does participate, he will likely get prime staging given his front-runner status. The debate will stage candidates according to polling, with the highest-polling candidate in the center. Fox News will host the first GOP presidential primary debate, while the second debate will be held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

It remains to be seen whether Trump will play by the rules and participate in the debates, but one thing is for sure: the race for the 2024 GOP nomination is heating up.

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