Trump won’t be at the GOP’s first presidential debate. But his presence will be felt

By JILL COLVIN and SARA BURNETT
Associated Press

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ex-president and GOP front-runner Donald Trump will loom large at the first Republican presidential primary debate even though he won’t be onstage. The candidates hoping to take on Democrat Joe Biden in November face off for the first time Wednesday night. The debate in Milwaukee will serve as a crucial test for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has struggled to gain traction since entering the race and is fighting to maintain his distant second-place status. More than half a dozen lower-polling candidates have been plotting how best to break through and create the kind of viral moment to spur momentum as they introduce themselves to voters.