Former US President Donald Trump plans to skip the first Republican primary debate next week and instead sit for an online interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, the New York Times has reported.

Trump has for months suggested that he would likely pass on Wednesday night’s debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, arguing that it did not make sense to give others a chance to attack him given his sizeable lead among Republicans in national polls. His campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said nothing had been confirmed on the candidate’s debate plans.

Trump has also criticized Fox News, which is hosting the debate, over its recent coverage of him.

The former US President’s rivals for the Republican presidential nomination ahead of the 2024 presidential election will gather at the debate to tout their candidacies.