Former President Donald Trump will reportedly sit down with Tucker Carlson instead of appearing at the GOP debate on Fox News.
The first debate of the Republican primary is scheduled to take place on Wednesday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The New York Times reports, "Former President Donald J. Trump plans to upstage the first Republican primary debate on Wednesday by sitting for an online interview with the former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, according to multiple people briefed on the matter."
"The timing of the interview with Mr. Carlson remains unclear, but if it goes ahead as currently planned, the debate-night counterprogramming would serve as an act of open hostility," the report adds.
Both Trump and Carlson have been at odds with Fox News.
The network abruptly pulled Carlson off the air in April, despite being their most popular personality — by far. Two months later, they sent him a cease and desist letter over his internet-based show, "Tucker on Twitter."
Fox News maintains that they have an exclusive contract with Carlson that remains valid through December 31, 2024 — even though he was pulled off the air.
Carlson has argued that the network has committed material breaches of its contract, nullifying their control over his content.
Trump has criticized the network for not being favorable enough towards him in their coverage.
The Times reports that R.N.C. Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, Fox News president Jay Wallace and the network’s chief executive, Suzanne Scott, have all met with the former president to try and persuade him to join the debate.
On Thursday, the former president wrote on Truth Social that his lead over Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is so prominent that participation would be beneath him.
"Many people are asking whether or not I will be doing the DEBATES? ALL AMERICANS have been clamoring for a President of extremely High Intelligence," Trump wrote. "As everyone is aware, my Poll numbers, over a 'wonderful' field of Republican candidates, are extraordinary. In fact, I am leading the runner up, whoever that may now be, by more than 50 Points. Reagan didn’t do it, and neither did others. People know my Record, one of the BEST EVER, so why would I Debate? I’M YOUR MAN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
