Republican Party’s first 2024 GOP Presidential Debate; will Trump be there: Watch live stream

The stage is set for the upcoming Republican Party’s first GOP presidential nominee debate, a significant event in the race for the party’s 2024 US presidential candidate nomination.

While the debate features a notable lineup of candidates, one prominent absence will be Donald Trump, who is the current party frontrunner.

Who are the Republican Party candidates?

Eight GOP candidates will engage in a debate that is bound to be a no-holds barred session as each candidate looks to get off on a strong footing.

The list includes Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Trump’s decision not to participate has placed the spotlight squarely on these contenders as they prepare to share their visions and positions.

What issues will be discussed?
The debate will be moderated by Fox News Channel anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum and the topics are likely to range from crime to immigration to the economy.

Former Vice President Pence recently hinted he may challenge other candidates over their hesitation to embrace nationwide abortion restrictions, while Chris Christie said he would be playing offense and defence over a range of topics.

What times is the debate?

The two-hour debate is scheduled to kick off at 9 pm ET Wednesday (5 am GST on Thursday).

Where to watch the debate?

This debate marks a departure from past formats, as it will be exclusively broadcast on Fox News and the Fox Business Network, along with being available on Fox’s digital platforms.

The Republican National Committee has chosen to livestream the debate through Rumble, a video sharing platform that has gained popularity among conservatives, as part of their strategy to move away from larger tech platforms.

The venue

The Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will be the setting for this pivotal debate. Wisconsin, a battleground state, will also host the Republican National Convention next year.

Donald Trump’s decision to skip debate

While former US President Donald Trump checks the RNC’s benchmarks for participation, he has opted out of the debate.

Trump’s current lead in the party’s polling has led him to forego this particular forum, citing limited benefits. “The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had,” he wrote on Truth Social. “I will therefore not be doing the debates!”

Instead, Trump has explored alternative ways to engage with his supporters, considering options such as offering live commentary on his Truth Social platform, participating as an audience member, or even hosting a separate rally.

As the countdown to the debate begins, all eyes are on the remaining contenders to articulate their visions for the future and demonstrate their ability to lead the Republican Party toward the 2024 presidential race.