8 Candidates Expected At Milwaukee's GOP Debate, But Not Trump

MILWAUKEE, WI — After former President Donald Trump last week reportedly made up his mind about skipping a debate with his peers in Wisconsin, The Republican National Convention has named the eight people set to participate in the GOP presidential primary debate on Wednesday.

The RNC said those who did meet the criteria and have plans to participate in the debate at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum on Wednesday include:

• Governor of North Dakota Doug Burgum.
• Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
• Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis
• Ambassador Nikki Haley
• Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson
• Former Vice President Mike Pence
• Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy
• U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina.

However, the Associated Press reported Wednesday morning that Burgum may miss the debate and was taken to an emergency room after he was injured playing basketball.

“The RNC is excited to showcase our diverse candidate field and the conservative vision to beat Joe Biden on the debate stage Wednesday night," said RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in a news release. "I’d like to thank the RNC’s debate committee Chairman Dave Bossie and Co-Chair Anne Hathaway and our debate partners, Fox News, Young America’s Foundation, and Rumble for their work to kick off the primary process that will put our Party and eventual nominee in the best position to take back the White House next fall.”

Last week, NBC News reported that U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green of Georgia, plus U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, will be among Trump's Republican allies traveling to Milwaukee for the debate.

Trump's decision to skip Milwaukee comes in favor of plans for a solo interview with former Fox News cable channel host Tucker Carlson, The New York Times first reported last week.