'I thought my source was full of garbage!' CNBC host stunned by new 2024 twist

CNBC host Brian Sullivan on Friday exploded at the thought that there would be no post-primary debates in the 2024 presidential election.

"You got to be kidding. Of course, there's going to be presidential debates," he said during an interview with political strategist Frank Luntz in which the host claimed to have spoken with a person with insight into the pulse of the future presidential race once two candidates distinguish themselves. "This is the United States. We would never do that."

Then the host pointed to statements made by Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin days ago.

"I would think twice about it," said Durbin, the second-highest-ranking Democratic senator said. "It's just an opportunity for [Trump] to display his extremism."

The host then realized a debate-less presidential contest could transpire.

"They are laying the groundwork for no presidential debates," he said. "I thought my sources were garbage. I realized there is a good chance that we will never see the former guy or the current guy get in front of the American people and debate others or each other."

Luntz concurred.

"This is one of the failings of American democracy right now, in 2024," he said. "These two candidates owe the American people the ability to watch them in an unscripted environment."

"My sources are telling me exactly the same as yours do; not just on the Democratic side but also on the Republican side —neither candidate wants to debate the other. What a shame that would be for American democracy."

The notion is obviously hypothetical and very premature given that while former President Donald Trump may be coasting with a wide lead in the polls, so far not a single person has caucused or cast a ballot for him to secure the GOP nomination.

Watch the segment below or at this link.