Fox Memo Says No Opening or Closing Remarks in Next GOP Debate: Report

Republican presidential hopefuls at the second GOP Primary Debate will not get to deliver opening or closing remarks, according to a new Fox News Media memo sent to presidential campaigns obtained by The Hill.

During the first debate, candidates were only allowed closing statements. According to the memo, follow-ups within the debate will be at the moderators’ discretion, who will also enforce all time limits.

The next debate will happen on Sept. 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., and will be modertated by Fox News's Stuart Varney and Dana Perino, and Univision's Ilia Calderón.

To qualify, candidates must hit either 3% in two national polls, or 3% in one national poll and 3% in two polls from two separate early states that the RNC recognizes, including Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. They also must have 50,000 unique donors and at least 200 unique donors from at least 20 states or territories.

So far, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., have qualified, according to The New York Times — it is unclear whether former President Donald Trump could participate or not, given that he hasn't signed the RNC pledge to support the Republican nominee.

The former president skipped the first debate, opting to do a sit down interview with Tucker Carlson on X instead.