Trump Will “Definitely Not” Participate in Fox News Debate

 

1439153463_10016521+TV+Kelly+TrumpThe Donald blinks:

Donald Trump will not attend the next Republican debate, the presidential candidate’s campaign manager said just minutes after Trump said he “probably” won’t show up.

“I’m going to be making a decision with Fox, but I probably won’t bother doing the debate,” Trump said at a press conference in Iowa Tuesday night. “I’m going to do something else in Iowa. We’ll have something where we raise money for the veterans and the Wounded Warriors, we’ll do something simultaneously with the debate, but most likely I’m not going to do the debate. I didn’t like the fact that they sent out press releases toying, talking about Putin, and playing games. I don’t know what games Roger Ailes is playing, what’s wrong over there? Something’s wrong.”

Trump’s campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, later told the Washington Post that he will “definitely not” participate in the debate.

After Trump’s threats of a boycott unless Megyn Kelly was banned from the debates, Fox News released a strong statement in her defense:

We learned from a secret back channel that the Ayatollah and Putin both intend to treat Donald Trump unfairly when they meet with him if he becomes president. A nefarious source tells us that Trump has his own secret plan to replace the Cabinet with his Twitter followers to see if he should even go to those meetings.

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  1. Pete Inactive
    Pete
    @petermdaniels

    Trump has one every single debate. Everyone agrees! Ask anyone. They’ll tell you he won them all.

    This is what I like about him – the guy never backs down!

    • #61
  2. nyconservative Member
    nyconservative
    @nyconservative

    a couple of days before the actual vote Trump is going to boycott the debate?…that isn’t playing by his own rules…it is stupid,narcissistic and unserious.Gee,just like the whole trump farce.Time to call this clown out and get back electing a conservative Republican president.The clock is ticking and with each passing day we have less time to reverse the disaster of the past 7 years.We do not have time for a reality show presidential candidate or god forbid a reality show president!

    • #62
  3. Ryan M Inactive
    Ryan M
    @RyanM

    Pete:Trump has one every single debate. Everyone agrees! Ask anyone. They’ll tell you he won them all.

    This is what I like about him – the guy never backs down!

    I mean, that’s something.  I’ve represented people who never back down… it’s only a positive trait when the thing you’re not backing down from is worth not backing down from.  It could plausibly be argued that Obama never backs down, either.

    • #63
  4. Reldim Inactive
    Reldim
    @Reldim

    Ryan M:

    Reldim:I’m thrilled Fox News is ridiculing the Donald’s thin skin. I also hope they will instruct their moderators to completely ignore him at the debate. No mention of his no show, no questions about his decision to other candidates, and no mention of his name at all. Pretend that he is not even involved in this election.

    Exactly.

    Yes. Stop feeding the “free media” beast that has sustained this idiot. And yes, he’s an idiot. As far as I can tell he has not provided an actual plan for anything – he only tells us that we will “love it” and it will be so great.

    • #64
  5. V the K Member
    V the K
    @VtheK

    If I were at FoxNews, I would have someone program a Trump Quote Generator based on an algorithm of Trump responses from previous debates. I would put it on a laptop and set it on top of Trump’s podium. Then, every time Megyn Kelly asked a question, the quote generator would spew out a random string of adjectives and hyperbole.

    • #65
  6. BastiatJunior Member
    BastiatJunior
    @BastiatJunior

    I hope Fox News closes and locks the door before he changes his mind.  Otherwise, he will be there.

    • #66
  7. La Tapada Member
    La Tapada
    @LaTapada

    Curiouser and curiouser.

    • #67
  8. Casey Inactive
    Casey
    @Casey

    I think it is rather interesting that Trump can say “definitely not” and we all figure that means he’s 50-50.

    • #68
  9. LilyBart Inactive
    LilyBart
    @LilyBart

    EJHill:Megyn16

    Not a fan of Ms Kelly here.  She dials EVERYTHING up to “11” – its exhausting.  She’s always outrageously outraged.

    And while I support her asking Trump about his past ‘sexist’ remarks, she didn’t need to ask him like she was the prosecuting attorney.

    • #69
  10. LilyBart Inactive
    LilyBart
    @LilyBart

    La Tapada:Curiouser and curiouser.

    Its it possible that Trump doesn’t really want the nomination and is looking for a way out?

    • #70
  11. Brian Watt Inactive
    Brian Watt
    @BrianWatt

    LilyBart:

    EJHill:Megyn16

    Not a fan of Ms Kelly here. She dials EVERYTHING up to “11” – its exhausting. She’s always outrageously outraged.

    And while I support her asking Trump about his past ‘sexist’ remarks, she didn’t need to ask him like she was the prosecuting attorney.

    On Kelly’s show this evening Rudy Giuliana announced his support for Trump, then said Megan’s question to Trump was perfectly appropriate.

    Of course, he was also a former prosecutor…so, there is that.

    • #71
  12. Brian Watt Inactive
    Brian Watt
    @BrianWatt

    LilyBart:

    La Tapada:Curiouser and curiouser.

    Its it possible that Trump doesn’t really want the nomination and is looking for a way out?

    Don’t tease us.

    • #72
  13. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Is it possible that a Trump counter-debate would outdraw Fox?  I’m sure that some cable network–maybe the one with Tamar and Vince, and Reality Stars Marriage Boot Camp–would give him air time.  The moderator would be a virtual Trump–that’s easy– and Trump himself could move back and forth between two lecterns articulating his various positions over time on the issues.  I bet that it would get numbers, including me.

    • #73
  14. Pete Inactive
    Pete
    @petermdaniels

    Nobody even heard of Fox News until Trump came!

    • #74
  15. Herbert Member
    Herbert
    @Herbert

    rico:

    I’ll dissent here. I don’t think that there’s a chance in the world that Ailes will let Trump anywhere near the stage. This is a yuuuge PR victory for Fox News.

    Really?   And can you not see how trump would play that scenario?  Denying the frontrunner a seat at the debate…

    • #75
  16. BrentB67 Inactive
    BrentB67
    @BrentB67

    Brian Watt:

    LilyBart:

    EJHill:Megyn16

    Not a fan of Ms Kelly here. She dials EVERYTHING up to “11” – its exhausting. She’s always outrageously outraged.

    And while I support her asking Trump about his past ‘sexist’ remarks, she didn’t need to ask him like she was the prosecuting attorney.

    On Kelly’s show this evening Rudy Giuliana announced his support for Trump, then said Megan’s question to Trump was perfectly appropriate.

    Of course, he was also a former prosecutor…so, there is that.

    New York Values.

    • #76
  17. Ryan M Inactive
    Ryan M
    @RyanM

    Casey:I think it is rather interesting that Trump can say “definitely not” and we all figure that means he’s 50-50.

    Yeah… But we can totally trust him on immigration.

    • #77
  18. BrentB67 Inactive
    BrentB67
    @BrentB67

    Question for the audience: How do the other cable news networks handle this? Fox regularly pulls as many viewers as the rest combined. Is this a chance to even the score one night?

    Imagine Trump renting a hall to give a speech and give $10,000 to ever Iowa veteran that shows up and writing a check for $1M  to Wounded Warriors?

    Does CNBC, MSNBC, CNN show up and make it breaking news just to distract from Fox?

    • #78
  19. Ryan M Inactive
    Ryan M
    @RyanM

    BrentB67:Question for the audience: How do the other cable news networks handle this? Fox regularly pulls as many viewers as the rest combined. Is this a chance to even the score one night?

    Imagine Trump renting a hall to give a speech and give $10,000 to ever Iowa veteran that shows up and writing a check for $1M to Wounded Warriors?

    Does CNBC, MSNBC, CNN show up and make it breaking news just to distract from Fox?

    At some point, conservatives start to feel played. I’m very surprised we’re not well past that point.

    • #79
  20. LilyBart Inactive
    LilyBart
    @LilyBart

    Brian Watt:

    LilyBart:

    EJHill:Megyn16

    Not a fan of Ms Kelly here. She dials EVERYTHING up to “11” – its exhausting. She’s always outrageously outraged.

    And while I support her asking Trump about his past ‘sexist’ remarks, she didn’t need to ask him like she was the prosecuting attorney.

    On Kelly’s show this evening Rudy Giuliana announced his support for Trump, then said Megan’s question to Trump was perfectly appropriate.

    Of course, he was also a former prosecutor…so, there is that.

    I didn’t see that!   (don’t watch the show much anymore).  I’ll have to record the re-run to see his reasoning.   I just struggle with Trump. I don’t just find him impolitic, but I am troubled that he’ll not govern from a limited government perspective.  I’m also skeptical of his immigration enforcement promises.  I think he’s going to let his supporters down on this matter.   Just a few years ago, he was complaining that Romney’s position was too harsh.

    As I said above, the debate question was appropriate, the problem was the approach, or to use my mother’s word:  the tone.

    • #80
  21. Eric Hines Inactive
    Eric Hines
    @EricHines

    BrentB67:Question for the audience: How do the other cable news networks handle this? Fox regularly pulls as many viewers as the rest combined. Is this a chance to even the score one night?

    Imagine Trump renting a hall to give a speech and give $10,000 to ever Iowa veteran that shows up and writing a check for $1M to Wounded Warriors?

    Does CNBC, MSNBC, CNN show up and make it breaking news just to distract from Fox?

    What he says he plans on doing is using the veterans holding a veterans fund-raiser on the same night.

    Who covers what and who talks about what will be interesting.

    Eric Hines

    • #81
  22. WI Con Member
    WI Con
    @WICon

    Donald will be tweeting “from…..wherever”.

    • #82
  23. Quake Voter Inactive
    Quake Voter
    @QuakeVoter

    Why not go all in on the counter programming.

    Trump should announce tomorrow that he will be announcing his running mate at the same time that Fox debate kicks off.

    Spend a good half hour on a rambling outrageous introduction.

    Then Fiorina walks out.  Not allowed on the main stage with all the establishment boys…

    • #83
  24. BastiatJunior Member
    BastiatJunior
    @BastiatJunior

    Herbert:

    rico:

    I’ll dissent here. I don’t think that there’s a chance in the world that Ailes will let Trump anywhere near the stage. This is a yuuuge PR victory for Fox News.

    Really? And can you not see how trump would play that scenario? Denying the frontrunner a seat at the debate…

    If Fox sticks to its guns, it will be an instance of someone successfully standing up to Trump.  If Trump actually loses his spot on the stage, when he didn’t have to, what does that make him?

    • #84
  25. Herbert Member
    Herbert
    @Herbert

    BrentB67:

    Imagine Trump renting a hall to give a speech and give $10,000 to ever Iowa veteran that shows up and writing a check for $1M to Wounded Warriors?

    Does CNBC, MSNBC, CNN show up and make it breaking news just to distract from Fox?

    BrentB67:

    Imagine Trump renting a hall to give a speech and give $10,000 to ever Iowa veteran that shows up and writing a check for $1M to Wounded Warriors?

    Does CNBC, MSNBC, CNN show up and make it breaking news just to distract from Fox?

    or how about just volunteering at a soup kitchen…. with the media invited to take pictures only so they don’t interfere with the important work being done…….

    • #85
  26. Ball Diamond Ball Member
    Ball Diamond Ball
    @BallDiamondBall

    Leigh:

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.:On the Mark Levin show, Ted Cruz just invited Trump to a one-on-one debate for 90 minutes, no moderator. I assume Donald ducks that one as well.

    You know what would actually be worth seeing? Cruz vs. Rubio for 90 minutes, moderator or no.

    Who?

    • #86
  27. Herbert Member
    Herbert
    @Herbert

    BastiatJunior:

    If Fox sticks to its guns, it will be an instance of someone successfully standing up to Trump. If Trump actually loses his spot on the stage, when he didn’t have to, what does that make him?

    I would be willing to bet that Trump does not notify Fox that he is declining to attend.   Hence leaving his option open……

    • #87
  28. Ryan M Inactive
    Ryan M
    @RyanM

    Ball Diamond Ball:

    Leigh:

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.:On the Mark Levin show, Ted Cruz just invited Trump to a one-on-one debate for 90 minutes, no moderator. I assume Donald ducks that one as well.

    You know what would actually be worth seeing? Cruz vs. Rubio for 90 minutes, moderator or no.

    Who?

    Cruz vs. Rubio. It was right there in the comment… See? I bolded it for you.

    • #88
  29. Ball Diamond Ball Member
    Ball Diamond Ball
    @BallDiamondBall

    Ricochet Editor's Desk: The Donald blinks:

    Like Reagan blinked at Reykjavik?

    And before anybody hyperventilates, I’m not equating Trump with Reagan.  It’s hardly a mark against Trump that he’s not fit to hold Reagan’s coat.  That would be an unearned privilege for even the best of men.

    • #89
  30. Ryan M Inactive
    Ryan M
    @RyanM

    Herbert:

    BastiatJunior:

    If Fox sticks to its guns, it will be an instance of someone successfully standing up to Trump. If Trump actually loses his spot on the stage, when he didn’t have to, what does that make him?

    I would be willing to bet that Trump does not notify Fox that he is declining to attend. Hence leaving his option open……

    Actually, they should give his spot to Carli and have a serious debate. If he wants back in, too bad, spot’s gone.

    • #90
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