UPDATE: Will He Make the Stage?; Republican Candidate Hospitalized Just Hours Ahead of First Debate

UPDATE: Burgum will be on the stage after a severe achilles injury. 

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 (Text "DOUG" to 70177) (@DougBurgum) August 23, 2023

🚨 It looks as though Doug Burgum might be able to debate tonight after all.

👀 pic.twitter.com/b8kQFrIP3Z

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 23, 2023

***Original post***

Just hours ahead of the first Republican primary debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Wednesday night, businessman and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum was injured while playing basketball with staff. 

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum injured his leg playing pickup basketball with his staff. He is out of the hospital. His campaign tells FOX News its “unclear” if he will be able to stand for the debate. More to come. #Debate

— Edward Lawrence (@EdwardLawrence) August 23, 2023

Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) was taken to a Milwaukee emergency room after suffering an injury while playing a game of pick-up basketball with his staff.

It's unclear whether he will be able to show or stand for tonight’s debate. pic.twitter.com/flu4fECbCU

— The Recount (@therecount) August 23, 2023

Burgum qualified for the debate, hosted by Fox News and Young Americas Foundation, in unconventional fashion by sending individuals a $20 gift card in exchange for a $1 donation. RNC eligibility rules to make the stage required 40,000 donors and a signed pledge to support the eventual nominee. 

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August 23, 2023▪️ Milwaukee ▪️ 9 PM on Fox.
This campaign is about the future. Join #TeamBurgum and let's unleash the best of America! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/b771W5ked9

— Doug Burgum (Text "DOUG" to 70177) (@DougBurgum) August 21, 2023

Burgum was in Iowa last week meeting with voters at the famous state fair. He has also been spending a lot of time in New Hampshire. 

“As we’ve seen in past elections, if you have strong momentum out of those two, then it’s almost a month later, before the next state, which is South Carolina,” Burgum recently told North Dakota's KX News. “We’re already pulling ahead in those states of people that have got 100% name recognition and have held national office. So, we feel like we’re off to a fantastic start.”

Burgum planned to share the debate stage with seven other Republican candidates.