Former President Donald Trump recently participated in an interview where he was asked if he would sign a pledge to support the Republican Party nominee if he loses the primary race, and, not surprisingly, said he would not. Lots of people will be divided over this statement, as it seems like a kind of, well, childish response to a potential loss, especially at a time when the very existence of our nation hangs in the balance, but it’s important to point out that Trump is a man of strong conviction. He isn’t the kind of guy who compromises his beliefs. In fact, that is the reason he said he would not sign the pledge.
Unfortunately, in order for Trump to participate in primary debates, candidates have to sign the “beat Biden” pledge, thus, the former president isn’t involved. Sort of a stupid thing to make a requirement to debate and allow people to hear all of the candidates weigh in on the important issues facing our country.
“I have a problem with the debate for another reason: I wouldn’t sign the pledge,” Trump went on to say in an interview held earlier this week. “Why would I sign a pledge? There are people on there that I wouldn’t have.”
“I wouldn’t have certain people as, you know, somebody that I endorse,” he continued. “So they want you to sign a pledge.”
“Newsmax noted that Trump did not specify which candidates he would never endorse, but he repeatedly attacked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson during the interview, the outlet added,” the Daily Wire reported.
“I can name three or four people that I wouldn’t support for president,” Trump went on to say during his conversation with Newsmax host Eric Bolling. “So right there, there’s a problem right there. There’s a problem.”
Trump won't sign RNC pledge to support the 2024 nominee if he loses the GOP primary. pic.twitter.com/APVXGITpSg
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) August 10, 2023
The “Beat Biden Pledge” candidates in the GOP debate have to sign says the following:
“Additionally, I affirm that if I do not win the 2024 Republican nomination for President of the United States, I will honor the will of the primary voters and support the nominee in order to save our country and beat Joe Biden.”
“I further pledge that I will not seek to run as an independent or write-in candidate nor will I seek or accept the nomination for president of any other party,” it added.
Earlier in the month, the former president sat down for a conversation with Breitbart News, where he stated that he hadn’t made a decision regarding his participating in the upcoming debates.
The Daily Wire then reached out to the Republican National Committee and asked them if Trump would still be allowed to participate in debates if he refused to sign the pledge. A spokesperson responded by noting a statement made by Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel several weeks ago.
“Everybody has to sign the beat Biden pledge, everybody, it’s across the board, the rules aren’t changing, we’ve been very vocal with them,” McDaniel said while talking with CNN’s Chris Wallace. Reporters from the Daily Wire also asked about some statements made by Christie, who seemingly suggested he would sign the pledge initially, but may not honor it later.
Once again, the folks at the RNC pointed to McDaniel’s statement in the same CNN interview where she said, “It’s not just the pledge, not just a piece of paper. Intent is going to be part of it, too. I think the debate committee is going to meet, and they don’t want somebody saying, ‘I’m blatantly lying.’ You have to say I’m going to support the nominee whomever the voters choose.”