Former United States President Donald Trump has vowed not to pledge his support to the Republican party’s eventual 2024 nominee – a requirement in order to participate in the first GOP presidential primary debate, which he still hasn’t committed to attending.
“I wouldn’t sign the pledge. Why would I sign a pledge? There are people on there that I wouldn’t have. I wouldn’t have certain people as, you know, somebody that I’d endorse,” Trump, 77, told Newsmax host Eric Bolling during an interview.
“I can name three or four people that I wouldn’t support for president. So right there, there’s a problem,” Trump said of the Republican National Committee’s loyalty pledge requirement.
Signing the so-called “Beat Biden pledge” is a requirement that has been put in place by RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in an effort to prevent intra-party fighting during the primaries and general election.
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Earlier this week, DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy turned in their signed pledges to the Republican National Committee (RNC).
According to the pledge, if they do not win the 2024 Republican nomination for president, they will “honor the will of the primary voters and support the nominee to save our country and beat Joe Biden.”
Trump argued that he has already made a decision about participating in the Milwaukee debate and will make an announcement next week.
Despite being the frontrunner in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, he reiterated that he sees no “upside” to joining.
The former President pointed out the disparity in support among candidates and questioned the value of his involvement.
As the first Republican presidential debate of the 2024 campaign approaches in two weeks, eight contenders have reportedly fulfilled the necessary requirements to participate on the stage in Milwaukee.
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To secure participation in the 23 August debate, candidates must meet stipulated polling and donor criteria outlined by the Republican National Committee (RNC).
These criteria entail achieving at least 1% in three credible national polls or a combination of national and early-state polls conducted between 1 July and 21 August.
Additionally, candidates must amass a minimum of 40,000 donors, with at least 200 donors from 20 or more States.