Trump news - live: Trump teases primary debate participation as Iowa Republicans set 2024 caucus date

Donald Trump has teased that he might choose to participate in the 2024 Republican primary debates despite having previously asked why he should bother with such a commanding lead. The former president posted on Truth Social: “Steve Cortes, the Ron DeSanctimonious top political strategist, thinks that Ron should get out NOW, while the getting is still good. He also said … Trump is the best Presidential debater ever, and can’t be beaten at the debate game.” He added: “Well, based on that, maybe I should enter the debates - But, then again, when you have a 40 to 50 point lead over the field, maybe I shouldn’t???” Mr Trump posted other attacks on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Saturday as he headed from Iowa to campaign in Las Vegas, Nevada. Meanwhile, the Iowa Republican Party set the date for the state’s first-in-the-nation caucus, voting unanimously for 15 January 2024, one of the earliest days it has taken place in years. It also happens to be the Martin Luther King Day federal holiday, which could add to calls for the general election day each November to become a holiday to encourage voting. Read More Gavin Newsom urges DoJ to investigate Florida over ‘unconscionable’ transportation of migrants Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigations involving Trump have cost more than $9 million Ethics board recommends Rudy Giuliani be disbarred for ‘destructive’ attempts to undermine 2020 results The Freedom Caucus booting Marjorie Taylor Greene looks worse for them than it does for her Chris Christie says Trump took secret documents so he could keep pretending he was president