Trump, DeSantis and others balk at future Republican debates, with competing calls to change or cancel them
The RNC is facing a series of tests of its ability to wrangle Trump, DeSantis, Ramaswamy and other 2024 candidates into complying with Republican debate rules The Republican National Committee is facing a series of tests of its ability to wrangle the 2024 presidential field into participating in or complying with the party's requirements for the primary debate process. The growing outcry underlines the push among some of the White House hopefuls and their aides to winnow down the crowded field so that a clear alternative to Donald Trump can emerge -- while Trump, still the early front-runner in polling, now argues the debates should cease entirely so the party can focus on the general election next fall. Disdain from nearly every primary candidate over the national party's debate process has ramped up in recent weeks, with calls intensifying from the campaigns of prominent candidates including Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy for the RNC to con...