President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE said he's disappointed he'll miss watching the Democratic presidential debate Thursday night while he attends a GOP House retreat but that he plans to record it and watch it as a "rerun."

"It’s too bad I’m going to miss it. I'm going to have to have it somehow taped," Trump told reporters as he left the White House for the Republican retreat in Baltimore.

"I’m going to have to watch it as a rerun," he added.

Ten Democratic presidential contenders are set to take the debate stage in Houston at 8 p.m. EDT. The debate, which is expected to last three hours, marks the first time that all top contenders for taking on Trump in 2020 will appear on the debate stage together.

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The president occasionally sends tweets during the Democratic debates attacking his potential rivals and defending criticisms from those on stage.

But Trump will be in Baltimore speaking to the House Republican conference for at least part of Thursday's debate. He is scheduled to return to the White House later Thursday night.

The president predicted as he departed the White House that either former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE, Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.) or Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters Republicans not immune to the malady that hobbled Democrats The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election MORE (I-Vt.) — the three front-runners in most polls — will win the nomination.

“I don’t expect too much difference," he said of his expectations for the debate. "You have three people that are leading, I sort of think that those three people are going to take it to the end. It’s going to be one of those three, I think. But you never know in politics."

Trump added that he respects "all" of the candidates appearing on Thursday night's debate stage.

"I respect all of them," he said. "Let me tell you, it takes a lot of courage to run for office. I respect all of them."

"See that? I'm getting to be much better as a politician, you never thought you'd hear that answer," he added with a smile.