57% of Iowa Republican Caucusgoers Unconcerned About Trump Skipping Presidential Debates Despite Criticism from Other Candidates

Recent Poll Reveals Trump's Debate Absences, Despite Criticism From Rivals, Overlooked by Many Iowa Republican Caucusgoers as His Stronghold over 2024 Race Continues

• A majority of likely Iowa Republican caucus attendees - 57% - are not troubled by former President Donald Trump's decision to opt out of GOP presidential debates. Only 42% think Trump should participate in at least one debate before the upcoming presidential caucuses, scheduled for Jan. 15, 2024.
• Trump intends to skip the third GOP debate, following his absence from the first two, citing his significant lead in national polls as his reason for bypassing these primary debates.
• Several of Trump's rival GOP candidates have criticized his decision to skip the debates. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Ex-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in particular vocalize their dissatisfaction, charging Trump with being 'missing in action' and 'afraid' of defending his record respectively.
• Among Republicans supporting a non-Trump candidate, 60% believe that Trump should participate in the debates, while 40% are unphased by his absence.
• Despite his debate absences, Trump maintains a grip on the 2024 GOP race in Iowa with a 27 point lead ahead of his closest competitors, Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, reflecting his 43% support among likely Republican caucusgoers.

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