Former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson will host a forum with Republican presidential candidates Friday in Des Moines, Iowa. This will be one of his most high-profile performances since his sacking from the conservative broadcaster in April.
However, current GOP frontrunner Donald Trump will not appear at the event, which is being organized by conservative Blaze Media and the conservative Family Leader organization. Its CEO Bob Vander Plaats said in May that it was time for Republicans to break away from the former president.
Carlson, who is now the host of a show broadcast on Twitter, will be “one on one” with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and speak to the senator. According to Tim Scott (RS.C.) and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson Blaze Media.
It is not clear why Trump will not appear.
The former president is currently around 30 points above his closest rival DeSantis in the polls.
Trump said last month he is not even allowed to participate in the first GOP primary debate in Milwaukee on August 23 because of that leadership.
He called Fox News, the host of the event, a “hostile network” and asked why he should “give his opponents time to make statements” when they are so far behind him in the polls.