Former President Donald J. Trump’s plan to have outstanding surrogates make his case in Milwaukee with out attending the controversy himself might already be hitting a snag as he clashes with Fox Information.
Mr. Trump’s marketing campaign had beforehand organized for outstanding supporters to go to the “spin room,” the place candidates and their allies work together with members of the media after the controversy.
However Fox Information, which is internet hosting the matchup, will grant entry to the spin room solely to aides of candidates who’re taking part, in line with a memo obtained by The New York Occasions. Aides of nonparticipating candidates could have entry provided that they’re invited as company of media organizations.
“Along with the (5) Spin Room credentials referenced in a earlier e mail, we’ll additionally subject (1) Media Row credential to any taking part candidate/campaigns,” the memo says. “Any non-participating candidate/marketing campaign is welcome within the Spin Room or Media Row as a visitor of one of many media organizations with positions in these places, utilizing certainly one of their credentials.”
The memo, which was first reported by Axios, doesn’t point out Mr. Trump, and the restrictions apply to all candidates who aren’t taking part — a class that additionally consists of those that didn’t meet the donor and polling thresholds to qualify. In follow, although, it would have an effect on Mr. Trump extra considerably than anybody else, since he’s the front-runner within the Republican main and is actively making an attempt to snub the controversy whereas nonetheless getting its advantages.
Mr. Trump’s determination to skip the primary Republican Nationwide Committee-sanctioned debate of the 2024 race was a slap within the face to each the get together and Fox Information. Mr. Trump has often complained about Fox Information’s protection of him. He has recorded an interview with Tucker Carlson, who was fired from the community this yr, that may submit on X, previously generally known as Twitter, through the debate.
No less than three senior members of Mr. Trump’s marketing campaign — Chris LaCivita, Jason Miller and Steven Cheung — plan to attend the controversy in individual, The Occasions has reported.
Among the many outstanding Trump backers planning to attend Wednesday’s debate are Kari Lake, the Republican candidate for governor in Arizona who misplaced final yr and has loudly echoed Mr. Trump’s election lies; Mr. Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr.; and Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Matt Gaetz of Florida and Byron Donalds of Florida.
“Kari Lake appears ahead to attending the controversy, and if Fox thinks in any other case, they’re welcome to name her,” a senior adviser to Ms. Lake, Caroline Wren, told NBC News on Monday.
The Fox Information memo doesn’t describe any restrictions on viewers members, nevertheless, solely limiting entry to the spin room the place reporters shall be doing the majority of their post-debate interviews.