
Former President Donald Trump recently voiced his reservations about signing the Republican Party’s “beat Biden” loyalty pledge as the party’s first primary debate fast approaches. The pledge requires candidates to commit to supporting the GOP’s nominee for the 2024 presidential race in exchange for participation in primary debates.
Trump won't sign RNC pledge to support the 2024 nominee if he loses the GOP primary. pic.twitter.com/APVXGITpSg
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) August 10, 2023
Speaking in an interview with Newsmax about his concerns, Trump stated, “I have an issue with the debate for another reason: I wouldn’t sign the pledge.”
He further elaborated, “Why would I sign a pledge? There are people on there that I wouldn’t have. I wouldn’t have certain people as, you know, somebody that I endorse”
“So they want you to sign a pledge but I can name three or four people that I wouldn’t support for president. So right there, there’s a problem right there. There’s a problem,” he added.
While Trump did not specify the candidates he had reservations about, he repeatedly criticized the likes of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during the interview, according to Newsmax.
Trump’s stance has sparked discussions within the party, with the “Beat Biden Pledge” itself coming under scrutiny. The pledge stipulates, “Additionally, I affirm that if I do not win the 2024 Republican nomination for President of the United States, I will honor the will of the primary voters and support the nominee in order to save our country and beat Joe Biden.”
Trump’s uncertainty regarding his participation in the debates prompted inquiries to the Republican National Committee. Responding to these inquiries, RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel reiterated that all candidates must sign the pledge, affirming, “The beat Biden pledge is non-negotiable for all candidates. The rules remain constant, and we have been resolute in our stance.”
In response to the interview, DeSantis expressed his disappointment with Trump’s refusal to endorse the pledge. “I mean you can’t, on the one hand, say that the country’s going in such a bad direction, which we all believe, and then, on the other hand, say you’re just going to take your ball and go home,” said the candidate, who signed the pledge to secure his place in the debate.
“It’s not just about you. It’s about a larger mission that we have to accomplish for Americans,” he went on.