The much-anticipated first debate in the 2024 Republican presidential primary is set to take place on Wednesday night at Milwaukee’s renowned Fiserv Forum. This pivotal event offers the party’s White House hopefuls a unique opportunity to seize a breakout moment and make their mark on the race.
Date and Location
The debate is scheduled to commence at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, taking place at the iconic Fiserv Forum, which is home to both the Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette University’s men’s basketball team.
How to Watch
For those eager to witness this significant moment in the Republican primary, the clash will be broadcasted on Fox News and will be available across all of Fox News Media’s platforms, including their website and the Fox Nation service. To accommodate cord-cutters, Fox News is generously streaming the debate on their website for free.
Expectations for Viewers
Given former President Donald Trump’s significant advantage in the race, the GOP’s White House hopefuls will undoubtedly strive to diminish his influence. It is worth noting that Trump himself has announced that he will be skipping the debate.
According to the latest RealClearPolitics moving average of surveys, Trump enjoys robust support with 55.8% in primary polls. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis follows as a distant second with 14.9% support, while entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy holds 7.0%, former Vice President Mike Pence garners 4.4%, former ambassador Nikki Haley secures 3.3% support, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie obtains 3.1%. Other candidates are polling at 3.0% or lower.
Qualified candidates for the debate include Trump, DeSantis, Ramaswamy, Pence, Haley, Christie, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott. Moreover, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Perry Johnson (a former gubernatorial candidate in Michigan), and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez have expressed their qualification, but it remains uncertain if they will participate on stage. Lastly, former Texas Rep. Will Hurd has come close to making the cut but had not done so as of Monday.
The debate will be expertly moderated by Fox stars Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.
Trump to Release Interview with Tucker Carlson
Former President Donald Trump is set to make headlines once again with the release of an interview conducted with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Throughout the month of August, Trump has garnered significant attention due to his well-publicized indictments in Washington, D.C. and Georgia’s Fulton County related to election interference during the 2020 presidential election. While he vehemently denies any wrongdoing, Trump maintains that these charges are politically motivated, a stance he previously took in response to indictments in other cases, such as the hush-money and classified-documents cases.
Despite these legal challenges, Trump continues to attract support from many Republican voters who share his perspective on these matters. In fact, recent primary polls indicate that he holds a commanding 40-point lead.
Market Performance in August
As we reflect upon the state of the market, it’s worth noting that U.S. stocks, as represented by the S&P 500 index (SPX), have experienced a 5% decline during the month of August. This downward trend can be attributed to various factors, including economic weakness in China and indications of a strengthening American economy. The possibility of increased interest-rate hikes by the Federal Reserve further amplifies the risk involved.
Concerns of Inflation
With an eye towards combating inflation, the Federal Reserve has already raised interest rates to levels not seen in over two decades. Minutes from meetings held by Fed officials reveal ongoing concerns about potential inflation risks.
Furthermore, there is speculation that rather than opposing the actions of bond vigilantes as yields surge, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell may choose to align with them during the upcoming Jackson Hole meeting.
Political Standpoint on Inflation
President Joe Biden and his cabinet officials have been actively addressing the issue of high prices throughout their travels across the United States. In response, Republicans in Congress have criticized Biden’s approach and have labeled it “Bidenflation.” The administration has touted initiatives such as the Inflation Reduction Act as a means to combat rising prices.
Despite the recent decline, it is important to note that the S&P 500 still maintains a substantial year-to-date gain of approximately 14%.