The Republican National Committee (RNC) has issued a warning to several potential 2024 GOP presidential candidates regarding their attendance at an Iowa Christian organization’s Thanksgiving forum. The RNC stated that participating in this event would disqualify them from future RNC presidential debates. The candidates in question include former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. The Family Leader’s “Thanksgiving Family Forum” is scheduled to take place on November 17.
In a letter obtained by CNN, the RNC counsel’s office expressed concern that the event in Iowa would essentially function as a debate, which violates the candidates’ agreement not to participate in any non-RNC-sanctioned debates during the campaign. The RNC warned that any candidate who takes part in this or similar events would be seen as violating this pledge and would subsequently be disqualified from future RNC-sanctioned presidential primary debates.
The RNC’s letter, dated October 28, served as a reminder to the candidates of their commitment to not engage in non-RNC-sanctioned debates. RealClearPolitics was the first to report on the letter. However, despite the warning from the RNC, the Family Leader intends to proceed with the event.
Drew Zahn, a spokesperson for the Family Leader, contested the RNC’s assertion that the forum constitutes a debate. Zahn emphasized that the organization held the same event during the 2012 and 2016 election cycles and believes it can be a complementary addition to the election process without competing with RNC debates. Zahn argued that the event follows a completely different format.
Despite the warning, DeSantis, Scott, and Ramaswamy have confirmed their attendance at the event. DeSantis expressed his intention to participate, stating that he believes it is an important aspect of the process and has been part of previous election cycles. He dismissed the notion that the RNC should penalize any candidate for attending the forum.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Ramaswamy campaign, expressed hope that the RNC and the Family Leader could resolve their logistical issues to best serve voters. CNN reached out to the DeSantis, Haley, and Scott campaigns for comment, but no response has been received at this time.
Zahn speculated that Trump would decline the invitation, citing his previous reluctance to participate in similar events. Trump did not attend the Family Leader’s Family Leadership Summit in July, which drew criticism from Bob Vander Plaats, the group’s president and CEO. An Iowa Republican official familiar with the Thanksgiving event noted that the Trump campaign had privately expressed concerns about the forum to the RNC. However, a Trump aide confirmed that the former president has no plans to attend the event.
The Family Leader described the event as an informal gathering where candidates engage in a family discussion rather than delivering speeches from podiums. Vander Plaats will moderate the event.
This incident follows the RNC’s recent blocking of a joint appearance by Ramaswamy and GOP rival Chris Christie on Fox News. CNN’s Jeff Zeleny contributed to the report.
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