Trump says he is skipping GOP primary debates amid massive polling lead

Former President Donald Trump on Sunday said he is not going to participate in the 2024 Republican presidential primary debates after a new poll showed that he is far ahead of all other GOP candidates.

With the first GOP debate scheduled for Wednesday in Wisconsin, Trump wrote on Truth Social: "New CBS POLL, just out, has me leading the field by 'legendary' numbers. TRUMP 62%, 46 Points above DeSanctimonious (who is crashing like an ailing bird!)."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whom Trump referred to with a pejorative nickname, came in second place in the CBS/YouGov poll Sunday with 16% support. Other than Trump and DeSantis, no other candidates received more than 7% support in the survey.

"The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had, with Energy Independence, Strong Borders & Military, Biggest EVER Tax & Regulation Cuts, No Inflation, Strongest Economy in History, & much more. I WILL THEREFORE NOT BE DOING THE DEBATES!" Trump wrote. 

The former president has previously hinted that he would not participate in the Republican presidential debates.

A report last week stated that Trump would opt to be interviewed by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson instead of joining the other Republican candidates in Wisconsin. Additionally, earlier this month, Trump said he would not sign a pledge to support the eventual GOP presidential nominee in 2024 as required before he could appear on the debate stage.

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