Will Trump Show Up for the Debate?

Playbook: “The biggest question, of course, centers on Trump, who relishes keeping people on the edge of their seats. As the clear frontrunner, the former president has publicly poo-pooed suggestions that he participate — for instance, telling Breitbart last weekend that his attendance would be ‘stupid.'”

“But, but, but … Some who have Trump’s ear are telling him that he’ll be a punching bag whether he’s there or not, so he might as well show up and parry the blows himself. They’re also arguing that a no-show could give his rivals a chance to create a viral moment and gain momentum against him. And several have also pointed out that after he skipped the last debate before primary voting began in 2016, he ended up losing Iowa to Ted Cruz.”

“Some close to Trump are no longer predicting what he’ll do and are even warning reporters against making definitive statements either way. But if you can bank on anything, it’s this: Trump will find a way to keep himself at the center of attention until the very last moment.”

Jack Shafer: “A person shouldn’t eat when he’s not hungry, drink when he’s not thirsty or debate when he’s already won. So if Trump has already acquired the nomination and stowed it in a box in his Mar-a-Lago bathroom for reopening on the week of the Republican convention, there’s no reason, outside entertaining his fans, for him to appear on the Milwaukee dais.”