Trump has already recorded his debate-night counter-programming interview with Tucker Carlson, sources say

Donald Trump has already recorded an interview with ex-Fox Information host Tucker Carlson that the previous president intends to make use of as counter-programming for the primary GOP presidential debate on Wednesday evening, which he has mentioned he’ll skip, two sources aware of the matter instructed NBC Information.

Carlson has been in Europe since Saturday, a supply near him mentioned.

It stays unclear how and when the interview will probably be printed. Carlson has been releasing interviews on X, previously generally known as Twitter, since getting fired by Fox Information earlier this yr. 

Carlson didn’t reply to NBC Information’ request for remark concerning the interview. Trump marketing campaign spokespeople have declined to remark concerning the interview or another type of debate counter-programming they might have interaction in. 

Trump beforehand had hinted that he would possibly forgo the Wednesday evening debate together with his 2024 GOP rivals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was exploring choices for counter-programming, folks aware of his deliberations instructed NBC Information final month.

The previous president indicated throughout a Newsmax interview this month that he wouldn’t signal a loyalty pledge committing to assist the eventual GOP nominee, which is required to safe a spot on the talk stage.

Trump is one in every of 10 GOP presidential candidates who seems to have met the occasion’s polling and fundraising standards to qualify for the talk, hosted by Fox Information.

Former Vice President Mike Pence’s marketing campaign introduced this month that he had certified for the talk. If Trump had determined to take part, he would have gone head-to-head towards his former vice chairman after being indicted in two separate probes associated to his efforts to overturn the outcomes of the 2020 presidential election.

In a submit to his social media platform, Reality Social, final Thursday Trump touted his ballot numbers as a cause to not take part within the GOP debate. “Individuals know my File, one of many BEST EVER, so why would I Debate? I’M YOUR MAN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he wrote.