Free speech video platform Rumble has announced an exclusive deal to stream the first Republican presidential primary debate.
I was not kidding when I said the #RumbleTakeover has begun. GOP Presidential Debate livestream, not on YouTube, not on Twitch, only on Rumble.
I'm not finished either 👀
— Chris Pavlovski (@chrispavlovski) April 12, 2023
In an announcement on Wednesday, Rumble revealed its exclusive streaming partnership with the Republican National Committee (RNC) for the first GOP primary — which will be broadcast by Fox News and Young America’s Foundation (YAF).
The debate will be held in August 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin — and will include former President Donald Trump, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, along with other Republican candidates who have yet to announce their candidacies.
RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel announced the partnership in a press release.
“I am so excited to announce that Rumble will be the RNC’s official streaming partner for the first Republican primary debate,” the press release read. “This is a big step for our party and country. As Republican leaders, we must continue to hold Big Tech accountable for their biases and silencing of conservatives. People deserve a fair, unbiased platform and that’s exactly what this partnership will provide – an opportunity for voters to watch the next President of the United States on the Republican debate stage on Rumble.”
McDaniel also discussed the news during an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends.”
“We’re also gonna partner with some pretty exciting partners,” she told the show’s co-hosts. “For the first time ever, we’re gonna live stream on Rumble.”
RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel announces Fox News will host the first 2024 Republican presidential primary debate in August in Milwaukee.
“We’re also gonna partner with some pretty exciting partners. For the first time ever, we’re gonna live stream on Rumble.” pic.twitter.com/6e8DZ8m0Bo
— The Recount (@therecount) April 12, 2023
Rumble has become a fierce competitor to YouTube since the 2020 presidential election, with users flocking to the new platform due to authoritarian censorship on YouTube.
Rumble, and its CEO Chris Pavlovski, have defended freedom of speech for all Americans.
“Rumble’s mission to protect free speech is not just a slogan, it runs through the DNA of our company,” the CEO said. “We are thrilled to partner with the RNC to bring the debate stage online and help promote open dialogue. Rumble saw record traffic and user engagement during the 2022 midterms, and we’re ready to be the premier platform for all candidates in the 2024 elections.”
While the left has tried to smear Rumble as a product of the “far-right,” the platform has recently been signing exclusive deals with non-political creators in several areas — including video game streamers and rap music artists and commentators.
They're forced to admit our 2 newest voices – @Akademiks & @Jidion6 – aren't right-wing, nor are other major hosts.
But it still calls us "right-wing" because that's media code for: "we can't control them or make them censor." https://t.co/E0Vo4nfYxx
— Chris Pavlovski (@chrispavlovski) April 12, 2023
The platform has also signed exclusive deals with prominent political figures, including conservative commentator Dan Bongino, former Democrat presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump Jr., and independent journalist Glenn Greenwald. Rumble has also signed an exclusive deal with Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social.
