UPDATE: Trump announces that he will NOT be participating in the Fox News Republican debate.
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump says he will not attend a debate scheduled for Thursday night in Des Moines, an unexpected twist just days before voters here launch the election process.
“I probably won’t be doing the debate. I’m going to have something else in Iowa,” he said during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
After the press conference, Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski confirmed to The Washington Post that Trump would “definitely not” participate in Thursday’s Fox News debate.
“He’s definitely not participating in the Fox News debate,” Lewandowski said. “His word is his bond.” (Washington Post)
Ted Cruz offered THIS huge challenge:
https://twitter.com/catblackfrazier/status/692147969638973442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
What just happened: Ted Cruz pounces on Trump news to call him CHICKEN and challenge him to a one-on-one debate on @marklevinshow.
— Teddy Schleifer (@teddyschleifer) January 27, 2016
Cruz says he'll debate Trump with no moderators, one-on-one for 90 minutes
— Brian Phillips (@RealBPhil) January 27, 2016
Cruz says Trump can name his own moderator to a one on one debate
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) January 27, 2016
Donald Trump does NOT want anyone to play games with him. Do you think that Fox News’ ratings would plummet if he was to skip out on the GOP debate?
Here was the exchange:
Bret Baier: I’ll see you Thursday night, right?
Donald Trump: We’ll be talking. Let’s see. I don’t, frankly, I don’t like the press releases FOX put out. It’s like they’re playing games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuYA4-fphY8
Trump shared this today also:
Pathetic attempt by @foxnews to try and build up ratings for the #GOPDebate. Without me they'd have no ratings! https://t.co/2bx54VKpQh
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2016
