Fox News Names GOP Debate Moderators

(RightWing.org) – Fox News has announced the moderators for the first Republican presidential primary debate. There’s only one problem — the leading candidate hasn’t yet confirmed he’ll take part. The debate could go ahead without Donald Trump, but there wouldn’t really be much point.

The race is on. Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum will co-moderate the first Republican presidential primary debate of the 2024 election, according to an announcement from Fox News Media president and executive editor Jay Wallace, shared… https://t.co/coRLkl5o0c

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) June 20, 2023

On June 20, Fox revealed Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum as the moderators for the first debate, scheduled to take place at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum on August 23. Executive editor Jay Wallace said the network is “extremely proud” to have the pair moderating and praised them for their political coverage over the last few years.

The Republican National Committee (RNC) organized the debate, and Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel announced the details on June 2. Yet, she couldn’t reveal a complete list of who might participate in the event. Former President Trump leads the field of GOP candidates so far — but he’s already suggesting that he might not appear at the debates this time around.

So far, 13 Republicans have declared their candidacy — but Trump continues to far out-pace all competitors, and only Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has any real support. If Trump should drop out of the race for any reason, DeSantis would likely jump into a commanding lead, but currently, 52% of likely GOP voters would back Trump and just 21% support DeSantis according to the Real Clear Politics average of polls. None of the other candidates have more than 6% support. Still, if Trump doesn’t turn up for the debates, they will fall very flat.

Even now, with one debate scheduled and the location — but not the date — for the second already decided, Trump isn’t saying whether he’ll participate. He has said that the RNC hasn’t discussed the arrangements with him and is wary of anti-MAGA moderators libeling or abusing him. If McDaniel wants the star attraction at the debates, she might have to give him guarantees of respectful treatment.