Republican debate: Seven candidates qualify for second GOP debate Wednesday

Seven GOP 2024 presidential candidates have qualified for the second Republican debate set for Wednesday evening.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), and Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) have qualified and are expected to participate in the debate, according to ABC News. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson did not make the list, nor did former Texas Rep. Will Hurd. Former President Donald Trump, who met the polling and donor criteria, will not participate.

DEMOCRATS DIVIDED OVER BOB MENENDEZ’S FUTURE IN THE SENATE

The criteria to qualify for the second debate were a little different from that for the first, and though Trump has met the aforesaid criteria (other than signing the candidate pledge), he is instead opting to speak with United Auto Workers employees in Detroit before the debate airs.

Trump sat for an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that aired during the first RNC debate. Though the schedules conflicted, Carlson said it was not an attempt to compete with the debate.

“I would never wanna stick it to Fox,” Carlson said in an interview with Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy.

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The second RNC debate for 2024 GOP candidates is set to be held Wednesday at 9 p.m.

The debate will be shown on Fox Business.