Trump wants to suck ‘oxygen’ from debate with Thursday surrender: Baier

Fox News anchor Bret Baier says former President Trump is attempting to stifle headlines about the first Republican primary debate this week by surrendering to authorities in Georgia the day after the event.

“I think there has to be some planning,” said Baier, who is moderating Wednesday night’s event for Fox, during an interview on Hugh Hewitt’s radio program. “I mean, I think it is about sucking the oxygen out of the room for anybody who had a big night on Wednesday making the rounds on Thursday.”

Baier called the former president’s plans “calculated.”

“It’s not a great counter-programming thing, but I do think it is calculated,” he said.

Trump said late Sunday he does not intend to participate in Wednesday’s or any GOP primary debate, citing his large lead in most Republican primary polls.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

The GOP front-runner said on Monday he intends to turn himself in Thursday at a courthouse in Fulton County, Ga., after being charged last week along with more than a dozen of his lawyers and associates in connection with his efforts to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.

The former president has for weeks criticized Fox and Baier directly for coverage of him that he views as not favorable enough.

After Trump sat for a wide-ranging interview with the outlet’s top political anchor, he blasted Baier as “nasty.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.