By Kristen Holmes | CNNFormer 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. 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. Debate participants will also need to sign a pledge committing to supporting the eventual Republican nominee.

Source: CNN September 19, 2023 01:46 UTC