The head of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R-FL) super PAC, Ken Cuccinelli, claimed his former boss, Donald Trump, is avoiding the debate stage to save face.
According to Cuccinelli, the first primary debate among Republican candidates is a “milestone in the campaign,” yet Trump has remained silent about whether he will attend.
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EARLIER: The Republican primary debate will highlight Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “brainpower,” says Ken Cuccinelli.
Trump “is a good showman, but he is not a good debater because it highlights his weaknesses. … In Ron DeSantis’ case, it showcases his preparation.” pic.twitter.com/FSyCFxO0d4
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) July 29, 2023
Trump qualifies for the debate under the Republican National Committee standards of polling at least 1% and having over 40,000 individual donors, but will not commit to a loyalty pledge no matter who wins the nomination. During the 2016 primary debate, he similarly would not commit to another GOP nominee.
“Donald Trump lost the first presidential debate to Joe Biden,” Cuccinelli said. “He is a good showman, but he is not a good debater because it highlights his weaknesses. Whereas in Ron DeSantis’s case, it showcases his preparation, his brain power, and his application of it all to the benefit of ordinary Americans’ lives.”
When Cuccinelli switched from being a Trump administration senior official to the head of DeSantis’s super PAC, he took with him Erin Perrine, Trump’s 2020 campaign press communications director, who joined the political action committee as its communications director.
So far, Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) have all qualified for the debate. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and former Vice President Mike Pence have met the polling requirement but not the fundraising requirement.
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The debate is slated for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Candidates will have until 48 hours before the debate to meet its standards.
This leaves former Texas representative Will Hurd, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, political commentator Larry Elder, and businessman Perry Johnson behind in the race to meet both requirements for the debate.
