If a proven record was determinative, we'd always favour incumbents. That may be wise at times, but Trump's record is mixed. It ranges from excellent (judicial nominations) to good (the border and foreign policy) to mediocre (social issues) to bad (Covid and general competence) to terrible (fiscal policy and inflation). We don't have to accept that in the primary, and we shouldn't..
I would prefer that he debate, but from a political strategy perspective, I understand why he's hesitant. He's leading in the polls (at least for now), and at least much of his support is solid (won't change much). If he debates, he will get clocked by Desantis where he's vulnerable (Covid, the budget, and social issues), and he'll get shamed for not promising to back the nominee. And on Covid, he's pretty much defenseless. He has no good answer (not even a BS answer). He's far more likely to lose support by debating than by not debating.
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