GOP Presidential Candidate Injured In Pickup Basketball Game, ‘Unclear’ If He Can Stand At Debate: Report

Republican presidential candidate and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum was injured while playing pickup basketball in Milwaukee Tuesday night, bringing his participation in Wednesday night’s GOP debate into question. 

Burgum, 67, was taken to the emergency room, according to CNN’s Dana Bash. Burgum’s campaign told Fox News that it is “unclear if he will be able to stand at the debate.” As of Wednesday morning, Burgum was discharged from the hospital, and candidates are scheduled to take part in a walk-through Wednesday afternoon before the debate in Milwaukee. 

The governor confirmed his injury in a post on X Wednesday afternoon but did not say anything about his debate status.

“I’ve played lots of pick-up games in my day! This isn’t the first time one has sent me to the ER. Appreciate all the well-wishes!” Burgum wrote.

I’ve played lots of pick-up games in my day! This isn’t the first time one has sent me to the ER. Appreciate all the well-wishes! 🇺🇸#TeamBurgum pic.twitter.com/5YL3rCEnCd

— Doug Burgum (@DougBurgum) August 23, 2023

Burgum cleared RNC requirements to appear on stage after hitting the minimum polling criteria and reaching the 40,000 individual donor threshold in part thanks to his campaign handing out $20 gift cards for $1 donations. The governor and former software executive entered the Republican race in June, touting his credentials in business and conservative governance. 

“If you want more small-town common sense in Washington and our big cities, we’ll make that happen,” Burgum told a crowd gathered for his announcement. “We need the governor and business leader who understands this changing economy. I want to earn your vote.”

The Republican debate will pit candidates against each other for the first time in the 2024 White House race. Former President Donald Trump, the GOP frontrunner, will not participate, opting to take part in a sit-down interview with former Fox News Host Tucker Carlson. Trump cited his large lead in the polls as the reason he would skip the debate and was met with harsh criticism from some of his GOP opponents.

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Trump’s absence means Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is coming in second place in most polls, and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will stand center stage on Wednesday night. Besides Burgum, five other candidates are slated to join DeSantis and Ramaswamy on stage, including former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Governor and U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. 

The first Republican presidential debate begins at 9 p.m. ET on Fox News.