CNN —Former President Donald Trump will skip the second Republican presidential primary debate in California next week and instead will travel to Detroit to deliver a speech to an audience that will include current and former union members, according to a source familiar with his plans.
His prime-time remarks will serve as counterprogramming to the September 27 debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
Trump, who has maintained a large lead in national and early-state primary polls, also skipped the first GOP primary debate in Milwaukee last month.
“Why would I do it?”Like the first debate, Republican candidates must meet certain donor and polling thresholds to make the Simi Valley debate stage.
They will need at least 3% in two national polls or in one national poll and two polls from separate early-voting states – Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina or Nevada.
Persons:
Donald Trump, Ronald Reagan, Trump, Megyn Kelly, Joe Biden, ” Trump
Organizations:
CNN, Republican, Ronald Reagan Presidential, United Auto Workers, NBC News, The New York Times, Fox News, GOP, ”
Locations:
California, Detroit, Simi Valley, Milwaukee, Miami, Simi, – Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada