Trump was the frontrunner in 2015-2016 primary too. Furthermore, he only skipped one debate, right before Iowa, which arguably contributed to him losing that state to Ted Cruz.
Nobody likes cowards, and Trump saying he fears being “libeled and abused” in a GOP primary debate here in 2023, i.e., - the other candidates will say mean words about him - is laughable.
If you are the incumbent and so far ahead in all polls, there is no reason to engage.
For that same reason, even the RNC bans people from the debate, if they can’t muster enough donors or poll numbers.
If the RNC does it and you are okay with that, what’s your problem with Trump doing it, too?
You are wildly inconsistent and illogical.
Trump doesn’t give a crap about “libel and slander” from other candidates. He’s refusing to attend the debate because the network hosting it and the people who are supposed to be moderating the debate are players in a game that is rigged against him.