In preparation for the U.S. presidential elections slated for next year, Republicans are holding a debate on Wednesday but the party’s leading aspirant, Donald Trump, will be absent.

The debate, which will feature eight aspirants and moderated by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, will hold Wednesday night in Milwaukee.

It will be aired on Fox News at 9:00 p.m. (ET), though Mr Trump’s absence may result in lower viewership of the debate.

The former president shunned the debate citing a CBS poll that says he is “leading the field by legendary numbers,” and implied the debate has no effect whatsoever on the public’s perception of his candidacy.

“New CBS POLL, just out, has me leading the field by ‘legendary’ numbers,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday before reeling out his achievements during his time at the Oval Office. 

“The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had, with Energy Independence, Strong Borders & Military, Biggest EVER Tax & Regulation Cuts, No Inflation, Strongest Economy in History, & much more. I WILL THEREFORE NOT BE DOING THE DEBATES!” Mr Trump wrote.

The eight aspirants that will spar on stage are Governor Ron De Santis of Florida, deemed a major opponent of Mr Trump, former Vice-President Mike Pence, Vivek Ramaswamy, Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota, New Jersey ex-governor Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, ex-Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson and Senator Tim Scott.