The first Republican presidential debate takes place at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Wednesday, Aug. 23. Milwaukee will be hosting the 2024 Republican National Convention July 15-18. Eight Republican candidates have met the Republican National Committee’s fundraising and polling thresholds required to qualify for the debate.The GOP presidential debate will be hosted by Fox News and moderated by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.Former President Donald Trump will not be participating. DEBATE DETAILS8 p.m. – 10 p.m. CT at Fiserv Forum.The debate will air on Fox News and livestream on Rumble. No opening statements. Candidates will have 45 seconds for closing remarks.Candidates will have 1 minute to answer a question and 30 seconds for follow-ups.Questions will come from moderators and pre-taped questions from Young America’s Foundation, the group former Gov. Scott Walker heads, featuring young conservative voters.RNC DEBATE CRITERIA40,000 unique donors (with 200 unique donors in 20 different states.)Poll at least 1% in 3 national polls or 1% in two national polls and 1% in one early state poll from two separate states (Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina.)Sign the candidate pledge, which includes agreeing to not participate in any non-RNC sanctioned debates for the remaining election cycle, pledge to support the eventual nominee and sign the RNC data-sharing agreement.All criteria must be met 48 hours before the debate.THE CANDIDATESThe eight candidates taking part in the debate will be: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Ambassador Nikki Haley Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson Former Vice President Mike Pence Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim ScottThe RNC said businessman Perry Johnson and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez did not qualify.WATCH GOP Debate in Milwaukee: One week beforeLATEST POLLINGAccording to FiveThirtyEight as of Aug. 21, this is the national average.Trump 52.5% | DeSantis 15.2% | Ramaswamy 9.3% | Pence 4.7% | Haley 3.5% | Christie 3.5% | Scott 3.4% | Hutchinson 0.7% | Burgum 0.4% WHAT THE CANDIDATES ARE SAYINGDonald Trump. “When you’re at 75, 78, 80% and other guys are at 0, 1% you do say what’s the upside? … I have a problem with the debate for another reason. I wouldn’t sign the pledge. There are people on there that I wouldn’t have. I wouldn’t have certain people as somebody as I’d endorse.” New York Post Ron Desantis. “We’re just going to talk about our vision for the future. We’re going to talk about our accomplishments. We’re going to talk about our bio and what has made us the leader that we are, and have a great exchange, and so I think it’s important people participate in the debates. I think it’s an important part of the process, and I will be there regardless of who else shows up, and we’re looking forward to being able to do it in Milwaukee.” WISN-TVVivek Ramaswamy. “There’s going to be many debates, so the first debate is just the first step … I think it’s serious, but I don’t want to do artificial stuff. I’m talking to voters. That is my debate prep. And you know what, Trump’s first debate performance wasn't his best, everybody else on that stage has already been through multiple political debates … I haven't. And so I want to own that. So it might take a couple of debates for me to find my own stride." WISN-TVMike Pence. “People ask me sometimes what I think about debating Donald Trump. I tell people I’ve debated Donald Trump 1,000 times, just never with the cameras on. Look, I know President Trump. I know everybody on that stage, and I’m looking forward to having a vigorous debate. We can talk about days in the past, but I’m going to focus my attention on just as much in the future because I think there’s a real divide in the Republican Party about the direction of our party and the direction of our country.” WISN-TVNikki Haley. “I’ve been underestimated in everything I’ve ever done, but it’s a blessing because it makes me scrappy … Looking forward to the debate. It’s a great chance for the American people to see what their options are, and I can tell you we have done dozens and dozens of town halls in New Hampshire and Iowa and South Carolina. We take every question, and we answer them, so the people of Iowa have gotten me ready for this debate.” WISN-TVChris Christie. “It starts in two weeks. Aug. 23, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the first Republican debate and let’s see. Let’s see if he respects you enough to show up. This is not about me. It’s not about DeSantis or Nikki Haley or any of the other candidates, Tim Scott. It’s about you. It’s a privilege to be on that stage. It’s a privilege to run for president of the United States.” X platform, formerly known as Twitter Tim Scott. “I look forward to sharing my positive, optimistic message on the GOP debate stage in Milwaukee. Republicans are ready for conservative leadership with a backbone, one that will crush the cartels, stand up to China, and protect the America we all love.” X platform, formerly known as TwitterDoug Burgum. “It was very important, but of course making the debate stage, these are like clubhouse rules the RNC came up with. They’re not federal elections, let’s just be clear what they are … There’s a 7x24 industry that can discuss what the former president is doing. We’d rather be talking about the current president because the current president has been abysmal on the economy, energy, national security and every time we have a chance to talk, we’re going to be talking about that.” WISN-TV WHAT THE MODERATORS ARE SAYING Bret Baier. “If he’s not there, he’ll still be there. In other words, he’ll be part of questioning. There may be sound bites, there may be elements where ‘this is what the leader of the primary says about this issue.’ He’ll be there, even if he’s not there.” POLITICOMartha Maccallum. “We’ll have questions for every candidate up there, including former President Trump if he decides to join us … The goal is to jump right in and get right to the news of the day.” POLITICO