Former President Donald Trump has reportedly decided to skip the first Republican presidential debate and instead participate in an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, according to sources familiar with the situation. Trump's decision, communicated to close associates over the past 24 hours, remains subject to change up until the last minute. His campaign had previously engaged in discussions with Carlson about this alternative plan to counterprogram the debate.

This first debate of the 2024 cycle comes shortly after Trump was indicted for the fourth time, specifically related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Negotiations regarding the terms of his surrender are expected to continue into the following week, with an August 25 deadline for his surrender.

Trump's anticipated absence from the debate stage is seen as a move to maintain his lead in the polls, even as he navigates legal challenges and controversies surrounding his previous term in office.