What to know about the fourth GOP debate

The fourth GOP presidential debate Wednesday will feature the smallest stage yet, with only a handful of candidates set to participate.

Eyes will be on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley as they vie to be the main alternative to front-runner former President Trump.

With about six weeks until voting begins in the Iowa caucuses, the debate offers one of the last opportunities for candidates to pitch themselves before a national audience. 

Here is what we know about Wednesday’s debate:

Where is it?

The debate will be held in Tuscaloosa, Ala., from 8-10 p.m. EST on NewsNation.

The event will be moderated by former Fox News and NBC host Megyn Kelly, NewsNation anchor Elizabeth Vargas, and Eliana Johnson, the editor-in-chief of the conservative news website The Washington Free Beacon.

Who has qualified so far?

The stage will be smaller than any of the three debates the Republican National Committee (RNC) has held so far in the election cycle. Only three candidates appear to have definitely reached the polling and fundraising requirements from the RNC to participate — DeSantis, Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s campaign said earlier this month that it has met the donor requirement and “all” criteria needed to qualify for the debate, but the RNC has not yet confirmed whether Christie has qualified.

The RNC raised its requirements for candidates to make the stage from the third debate from 70,000 to 80,000 unique donors, including at least 200 from 20 states and territories. Candidates also must reach at least 6 percent in two national polls or in one national poll and two out of four of the early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

Will Trump participate?

Former President Trump will skip the debate again, having opted out of each of the previous three. He will instead attend a private fundraiser, the first time he will not hold a counterprogram occurring at the same time as the debate.

Trump has called for canceling all the remaining primary debates given his significant lead over his Republican rivals in the polls.

How can you watch?

The debate will be simulcast in the Eastern and Central time zones on Nexstar’s broadcast television network, The CW.

NewsNation is a cable channel owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.