The New York Sun

Join
Politics

The Demise of Debate? Trump’s Refusal To Face His GOP Challengers Portends a Problem for Republicans

GOP worries that Trump’s refusal to debate his Republican challengers could give President Biden an excuse to avoid debating his predecessor if they meet again in 2024.

Wikimedia Commons
John Kennedy and Richard Nixon before their first presidential debate in 1960. Wikimedia Commons
M.J. KOCH
M.J. KOCH

President Trump’s decision to abstain from the first Republican primary debate on Wednesday bodes ill for the future of deliberation in a democracy, some scholars say. 

Have an account? Log In

To continue reading, please select:

Limited Access

Enter your email to read for FREE

Get 1 FREE article

Continue with
or
Unlimited Access

Join the Sun for a PENNY A DAY

$0.01/day for 60 days

Cancel anytime

100% ad free experience

Unlimited article and commenting access

Full annual dues ($120) billed after 60 days

View all membership options
By continuing you agree to our
Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
M.J. KOCH
M.J. KOCH

Ms. Koch graduated in 2023 from Harvard College, where she was the editor-in-chief of the student weekly, the Harvard Independent. She reports on issues of higher education and foreign policy at The New York Sun.

Advertisement
The New York Sun

Sections

NationalForeignPoliticsArts+EconomyEducationJusticeOpinionWatchCrossword

More

MembershipBecome a FounderAdvertiseEventsNewslettersShopSubmissionsContactLegalAbout

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use