SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The first presidential GOP debate kicked off in Milwaukee, Wis. on Wednesday, August 23 and the leading Republican candidate was noticeably absent. 

Former U.S. President Donald Trump chose to give an interview, which aired at the same time as the GOP debate, with Tucker Carlson. 

In Trump's opinion, since he's already in the lead, why show up and battle it out?

That left eight remaining participants at the debate: 

• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
• North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum
• Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
• Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley
• Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson
• Former Vice President Mike Pence
• Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy
• Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina

Earlier, the same day, Senator Mike Braun, visiting South Bend and also running for Indiana Governor after Eric Holcomb's leave, gave his opinion on Trump's preluded absence by calling it "strategic." 

"I think he's doing that strictly as strategy," said Braun. "He's that strong in the polls and probably views the only way you could go is down."

Thursday, August 24, Trump will turn himself into Georgia officials in response to the accusations of trying to change the results of the 2020 election in Georgia, following Rudy Guiliani. 

"If you want to measure it," Braun said, "Every time another charge is levied, he seems to get stronger in the polls. So that should tell you something."