Vivek Ramaswamy is first to sign Republican promise to BACK whichever candidate wins the nomination as they prepare for debate showdown - as Trump still weighs up whether he will take the stage

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Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy became the first Republican to sign a GOP 'loyalty' pledge that is a condition for getting on the debate stage – as Donald Trump continues to dominate all comers in the polls.

The pledge, in exact language revealed Tuesday, commits candidates to 'support' the GOP nominee. Trump loyalist RNC chair Ronna McDaniel has been pushing the idea as a way to unify the party after a contentious primary.  

'I affirm that if I do not win the 2024 Republican nomination for President of the United States, I will honor the will of the primary voters and support the Republican presidential nominee in order to save our country and beat Joe Biden,' according to the pledge, a signed copy of which was obtained by DailyMail.com.

It features the familiar large red elephant logo of the RNC, although the pledge is titled as the 'Beat Biden Pledge,' in a play on his own campaign logo.

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy signed an RNC pledge to back the eventual Republican nominee as a condition for appearing in the first presidential debate

'I further pledge that I will not seek to run as an independent or write-in candidate nor will I seek or accept the nomination for president of any other party.'

The pledge begins with a clause meant to discourage candidates from straying to non-sanctioned debates – something lower polling candidates might be tempted to join in search of free air-time.

It has each candidate affirm 'that I agree to appear in only Primary and General Election debates that have been sanctioned by the Republican National Committee, pursuant to Rule 10(a)(11) of The Rules of the Republican Party. I acknowledge and accept that if I fail to sign this pledge or if I participate in any debate that has not been sanctioned by the Republican National Committee, I will not be eligible to participate in any further Republican National Committee sanctioned debates.'

Ramiswamy is the first presidential candidate to sign the pledge

Former President Donald Trump is above 50 in the RealClearPolitics polling average. He may skip the debate

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who recently visited Ukraine, will take the pledge 'as seriously as Donald Trump took it in 2016.' He is expected on stage in Milwaukee

Trump loyalist Ronna McDaniel  will co-sign each pledge, according to a copy provided to DailyMail.com

Ramaswamy's pledge was signed by the candidate on August 8. A space for McDaniel's name was still blank. 

The language of the pledge was first reported by the Washington Post. 

Ramiswamy has proved adept at trying to swat away Trump questions while touting his own agenda, even as Trump faces three criminal indictments and a key court hearing in Washington Friday on setting up a trial schedule over charges linked to his election overturn effort.

He said following Trump's latest indictment that he would fire anyone in the government connected to his prosecution and added that 'the FBI as an institution should not exist.'

Eight candidates are already expected to have met the polling criteria for the first debate, which is set for August 23 in Milwaukee.

Vice President Mike Pence was the last to reach the 40,000 individual donor threshold.

Also qualifying are Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Chris Christie, Doug Burgum, and Trump – who has faced pressure from Fox personalities to attend, but who has toyed with his supporters about it.

Christie, the former New Jersey governor who has been denouncing Trump, has said he will sign the pledge – but said he will take it 'as seriously as Donald Trump took it in 2016.'

That was a reference to Trump himself backing away from the pledge. 

The comment points to the difficulty of enforcing the pledge. 

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who has yet to qualify to get on the stage and who has said Trump shouldn't be the nominee and has also spoken of ways he might finesse it. 

The pledge carries weight this year, with Trump running far ahead of his rivals even while facing three indictments. Some rivals have called him a threat to democracy. Pence said after Trump's latest indictment that no president should put themselves above the Constitution.

All would be expected to fall in line behind Trump following their pledges.

Trump his week continued to attack Christie, a former advisor who once ran his presidential transition. 'Please do not call him a fat pig,' Trump said in New Hampshire.

A PAC backing Christie, who is running second in the state in a new poll , ran a full-page newspaper adding accusing Trump of being 'afraid to debate.'