©  The Associated Press 

That’s the number of times I counted former President Trump’s name mentioned in last night’s debate that he *did not attend*. If that doesn’t show us just how much power the former president has over the Republican Party, I don’t know what will. But at the same time, that number could have been much higher had Trump’s influence dissipated.  

Not only was the GOP frontrunner sitting out, but he joined an ex-Fox News host to air counterprogramming and attempt to steal attention away from his rivals, including his former vice president and his former U.N. ambassador.  

Speaking of the Trump sit-down: If you haven’t seen this 76-second preview, you will get the gist. 

Can you believe the number of mentions happens to match the number plastered on the debate backdrop? I love it when a plan comes together! 

The winner: Reader Michael Thompson correctly guessed 24 references to the former president. And reader Mike Murphy came in second place with a guess of 23 mentions. The Mikes are having a hot streak! 

SO many of you sent me your guesses: You predictions and commentary were a lot of fun to read. I love hearing from all of you!

Happy Thursday. It’s the time of year when stores have switched to the fall season a little too early. I hate to pile on here because it is absolutely still summer, but today kicks off fall drink season at Starbucks. Keep reading for this year’s menu. I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@digital-staging.thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you?  Sign up here.  

If you think I’m making a harsh judgement, just look at the quality of his co-defendants’ mugshots so far. 

Former President Donald Trump plans to surrender to Fulton County jail today for his alleged role in attempting to overturn Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results.  

The question everyone is asking — what time?: We don’t know, but reports suggest it will happen late tonight to maximize media coverage, according to The Hill’s Zach Schonfeld. 

How the booking typically works: It usually includes a medical screening, fingerprinting and a mugshot.  

What are the conditions of his release?: A judge set a $200,000 bail. A judge will also place rules for social media posting and his ability to contact co-defendants and witnesses. 

Keep in mind about the jail: “The Fulton County jail has been known for poor conditions. The Justice Department opened an investigation into the facility last month over concerns that an individual died there covered in insects and filth, and officials said another inmate died at the jail last week.” 

NBC News’s Ben Collins speculated last night: “[There is] absolutely no way [Trump’s] not spending an hour tonight practicing mugshot faces with aides in the most dismal meeting possible, and I don’t blame him. If my picture was gonna be on every ninth Hot Topic shirt sold for the next decade I’d do the same thing.”  

You’ve probably read a million of those takeaway pieces already. But if you happen to have missed them and would like to read one, here you go! 

Hands down, this is the best photo to come out of the debate: What a mood. And here’s one of my favorite memes of that photo. 

 
The quote that made me laugh the hardest: When sparring over climate change, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie told candidate Vivek Ramaswamy that he “had enough already tonight of a guy who sounds like ChatGPT.” Watch 

Eh, actually *this* quote made me laugh the hardest: When Christie responded to moderator Martha MacCallum’s lightning round UFO question with, “I get the UFO question? Come on, man!” 

The quote that riled up the crowd: Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said he would not support Ukraine in its war with Russia. Nikki Haley, who served as Trump’s U.N. ambassador, shot back with examples of why she does not support that policy. After some verbal battling, Haley told Ramaswamy: “You have no foreign policy experience, and it shows.”  

How the above moment was received in the room: PBS’s Lisa Desjardins posted, “Am told people in audience stood and clapped for Haley’s slay of Ramaswamy … ‘You have no foreign policy experience and it shows.’ That it was first time audience members erupted in ovation like that that during the debate.” Video of the back and forth 

Here’s a short list of memorable moments: I would also call the debate “testy.” From The Hill’s Jared Gans 

Burgum is on crutches: He was injured during a game of pick-up basketball with his staff on Tuesday. “I’m in,” he posted with a photo walking onto the stage with his crutches. But keep in mind, he ditched the crutches before the debate. Photo 

And before anyone slams him for his basketball skills: “I’ve played lots of pick-up games in my day! This isn’t the first time one has sent me to the ER,” Burgum posted. Black-and-white photo  

This is the view for all the reporters covering the debate: Posted by The Hill’s Niall Stanage. Photo 

A lighter moment: I’m glad that Politico’s Olivia Beavers captured the quote when North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said, “Every job I had growing up was one where I took a shower at the end of the day, not at the beginning of the day…” A crowd member yelled out, “Wooo!”  

Winners: Former Vice President Mike Pence, Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Fox News’ moderators and Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley 

Mixed: Vivek Ramaswamy 

Losers: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.), North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson 

Short explainers for each, from The Hill’s Niall Stanage 

Instead of duking it out on stage in Milwaukee, former President Trump joined former Fox News host Tucker Carlson for a pre-taped interview. Below are some of the most interesting moments. But first, check out this 6-second intro. 

Trump on whether he thinks the U.S. is headed toward ‘open conflict’: “[There is] a level of passion and hatred I’ve never seen,” Trump said. “And that’s probably a bad combination.” 

Trump called Biden a ‘Manchurian candidate’: “I think he is the most corrupt president we’ve ever had, and he also has the distinction of being the most incompetent.”  

Trump on Tucker Carlson being fired: “I think it was a terrible move getting rid of you,” the former president told Carlson. “You’re No. 1 on television and all of a sudden we’re doing this interview, but we’ll get bigger ratings doing this crazy forum that you’re using than probably the debate.” 

More highlights from The Hill’s Brett Samuels and Dominick Mastrangelo 

Video of the full interview: It already has roughly 190 million views. 

This is how you know I’ve watched too much #BamaRushTok — *said with my newfound southern twang* 

Trump weighed in on the debate last night, posting praise for candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.  

“This answer gave Vivek Ramaswamy a big WIN in the debate because of a thing called TRUTH. Thank you Vivek!” Trump posted on Truth Social. 

The Daily Beast’s senior media reporter Justin Baragona pointed out that “MAGA folks are now creating their own fake mugshots in ‘solidarity’ with Trump and the other co-defendants.” Photo of an example 

The House and Senate are out. President Biden is in Nevada, and Vice President Harris is in Washington, D.C. Neither have public events scheduled. 

• This evening: Former President Trump plans to surrender at Fulton County Jail. 

• Sept. 5: The Senate returns. Senate calendar 

• Sept. 12: The House returns. House calendar  

All times Eastern.

Today is National Peach Pie Day! 

Today is the first day for fall drink offerings at Starbucks. Oh, yum!: One of Starbucks’ new drinks is the iced pumpkin cream chai tea latte. Now that’s a mouthful. The full menu and details from Delish’s Allison Arnold 

And finally, to lighten things up a bit, here’s a dog who may be a little too well trained.  

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