Trump Holds Meeting with Fox Executives to Discuss Debate Concerns, Despite Prior Remarks on Hostile Opponents and Questions: Report

Former President Donald Trump's Dinner Meeting with Fox News Executives

Former President Donald Trump recently had a dinner meeting with Fox News executives to discuss the upcoming Republican Party primary debate. Trump had previously expressed his disinterest in participating in the debate, calling it "stupid" and expressing concerns about facing hostile opponents and questions.

Meeting with Fox News Executives

Former President Donald Trump recently dined with Fox News President Jay Wallace and CEO Suzanne Scott at his club in Bedminster. This meeting took place after Trump learned that he was going to face criminal charges, marking the third indictment against him. During the dinner, the Fox News executives reportedly made a "soft appeal" to Trump, urging him to participate in future debates. The New York Times report highlighted that some individuals close to Trump have cautioned that his absence from debates could potentially benefit another candidate and ignite their campaign.

Trump Leading the Republican Field

According to a recent poll conducted by The New York Times/Siena, former President Donald Trump is still leading the Republican field as the frontrunner. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is in a clear second place. No other candidates are polling in double digits, with former Vice President Mike Pence, Senator Tim Scott, and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley all sitting at 3%. The remaining candidates have 2% or less support from voters. The New York Times/Siena poll is considered the top poll in the nation by FiveThirtyEight.

Poll Results and Consideration of Other Candidates

According to a recent poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena, President Trump currently has a slight lead with just over 50% of the vote. However, the poll also revealed that almost half of the respondents who chose Trump are open to considering other candidates, with 46% stating that they are contemplating alternative options.

Trump's Decision on Participating in Debates

President Trump recently had a dinner meeting with Fox News executives, which was described as "cordial." During the meeting, Trump reportedly mentioned that he has not yet decided whether he will participate in the upcoming debates. In a previous interview with Breitbart News, Trump emphasized the importance of debates in his previous election victories, stating that they played a significant role in securing the 2016 GOP nomination and the general election.

Reluctance to Participate in Debates

The former president expressed his reluctance to participate in debates due to what he perceived as a hostile environment. He specifically mentioned not wanting to face tough questions from a hostile network and candidates. The candidates he referred to were polling at low numbers, except for DeSantis.