Here’s what happened the last time Trump skipped a debate

Donald Trump is skipping the first Republican presidential primary debate Wednesday, Aug. 23, in Milwaukee. The former president instead taped an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson which is expected to be posted online around the same time. 

Trump wrote on social media, “The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had.” 

There’s a reason this story might seem familiar.

In 2016, Donald Trump skipped a primary debate also hosted by Fox News. He said the network was covering him unfairly. Instead, he hosted a televised fundraiser for veterans which he initially said raised $6 million. Trump declared it a success. 

“I did something that was very risky and I think it turned out great because I’m on the front page of every paper. I’m getting more publicity than if I, you know,” Trump said at a campaign event the next day.  

But the fundraiser did not raise $6 million and ultimately led to the Trump Foundation being shut down. A New York judge ruled that the foundation misused the funds, and Trump was ordered to pay $2 million in damages.

The judgment stated the money was used for the political campaign and disbursed by campaign staffers, not the foundation. 

On top of that, 12.5 million people watched the debate on Fox. However, Trump’s event that was shown live on CNN and MSNBC only drew about a quarter of that audience, according to CBC.

This time around, Trump’s opponents contend if the current front-runner qualified for the Milwaukee debate, he should be there. 

“I think you owe it to the people to put out your vision, to talk about your record,” Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., said according to CBS News. 

“I hope he’ll be there. I hope everybody that’s qualified for the debate stage, and I’m grateful we did, is on that stage. And let’s talk about the challenges facing the American people,” Former Vice President Mike Pence said on ABC’s “This Week.” 

But in 2016, Trump’s opponents were happy he skipped. 

“I feel like I’ve got a double win. I’m in the main debate and I don’t have to put up with Donald Trump. I really don’t think he’s added much of substance. I don’t think he’s really a conservative,” Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said in Megyn Kelly’s Fox News show at the time. 

Trump planned to skip another debate toward the end of the 2016 primary. But it was ultimately canceled because former Ohio Gov. John Kasich said he wouldn’t participate if Trump wasn’t there and that would have left Texas Sen. Ted Cruz all by himself.

The Milwaukee debate will be hosted by Fox News. To qualify, candidates had to receive donations from more than 40,000 unique donors and receive one percent support in at least three polls. At least eight candidates said they had qualified, but the RNC has not come out with an official list.