Trump is not planning to join his 2024 GOP rivals on the debate stage in Milwaukee and is considering doing a Tucker Carlson interview instead: 'Why would I Debate? I'M YOUR MAN'

Former President Donald Trump is not planning to attend the first Republican primary debate and will likely sit down for an online interview with former Fox News Channel host Tucker Carlson instead. 

The New York Times reported Friday on Trump's plan to try to upstage the GOP primary field in the Fox News-sponsored debate by sitting down with the conservative network's renegade ex-anchor. 

Carlson was pushed out of the network, and his popular primetime show, in late April, and has been broadcasting using Twitter ever since. 

For months Trump has suggested he would snub the first debate - arguing that he's polling way ahead of any of his competitors. 

'Many people are asking whether or not I will be doing the DEBATES?' he posted to Truth Social Friday. 'People know my Record, one of the BEST EVER, so why would I Debate? I’M YOUR MAN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' 

Former President Donald Trump (left) is not planning to attend the first Republican primary debate and will likely sit down for an online interview with former Fox News Channel host Tucker Carlson (right) instead

Trump slightly left the door cracked open Friday to appear at Wednesday's debate in Milwaukee, but The New York Times reported that he'll likely not go 

In the same post, Trump said that 'ALL AMERICANS have been clamoring for a President of extremely High Intelligence.'

'As everyone is aware, my Poll numbers, over a "wonderful" field of Republican candidates, are extraordinary,' he continued. 'In fact, I am leading the runner up, whoever that may now be, by more than 50 Points. 

'Reagan didn't do it, and neither did others,' Trump also said. 

Trump was referring to Reagan's decision in 1980 to skip the Des Moines Register's Republican debate - which was the first televised GOP debate ever. 

In Reagan's case the decision briefly backfired. 

George H.W. had a good night and eventually won the Iowa caucuses. 

Former President Donald Trump participated in all but one of the GOP primary debates during the 2016 cycle

Reagan, however, became the eventual nominee and made Bush his running mate. 

During the 2016 campaign Trump skipped a primary debate in Iowa as well, becuase he was - like he is now - feuding with Fox News Channel over the network's inclusion of moderator Megyn Kelly. 

The New York Times' sources said Trump is likely to skip the second GOP presidential debate as well. 

It will be held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

The library's prominent speaker series has snubbed Trump but invited critics, including former Rep. Liz Cheney, one of two now former GOP lawmakers to serve on the House select committee on January 6.