Trump is boycotting the debate on Fox News because it is being moderated by Megyn Kelly, who he’s been feuding with since the summer. A spot by Conservative Solutions PAC, which is supporting Rubio, dismisses Bush and Democrat Hillary Clinton as vestiges of a forgettable past.
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But it’s unlikely Trump was amused to hear that, if elected, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Iran’s Ayatollah planned to treat him unfairly and that he would ditch his Cabinet in favor of governing by Twitter poll.
Lewandowski called Fox News’ own coverage of Trump backing out “dishonest” and said he privately discussed Trump’s concerns with Fox executives and accused the network of airing private details.
Trump, with just one day’s notice on a weeknight, was able to fill to capacity a hall at Drake University that holds 700. And despite Trump’s recent rhetoric about embracing religion, some Christians here struggle to see how Trump’s past works match his professions of faith. “I’ve never seen Trump in person”. No one knows how Trump will fare in Iowa, not even him.
Ted Cruz didn’t waste any time.
Rubio meanwhile has denounced the Trump-Cruz sideshow. “Can we do it in Canada?”
Cruz was clearly the biggest victim of Trump’s absence, though.
Little is known about Trump’s grassroots efforts to generate caucus turnout in Iowa, and he has largely avoided the grueling face-to-face courtship of voters, opting instead to talk to them from a distant podium.
TED CRUZ: “Let me say I’m a maniac and everyone on this stage is stupid, fat, and ugly”.
Some foes saw the shakeup as an opening to rise above the ruckus.
Now the leading Republican candidate, Trump seemed not to take the interview very seriously and looked ready to end it at the start but humored them for about a minute before cutting it short. Remember, Cruz said, “there is a difference between personal insults and attacks – between going into the mud with ad hominems and focusing on issues and substance”. Trump’s campaign responded with a counter-statement saying that, if “FOX wanted to join in that effort and make a contribution Mr. Trump would have welcomed that”.
“We have a venue, we have a time – all we’re missing is a candidate, ‘ Cruz said, labeling Trump a ‘fragile soul” who is afraid to answer tough queries from Iowans.
Later on the show, correspondent Willie Geist offered a full report on how “Trump’s war against Fox News host Megyn Kelly is the latest in a long line of feuds with fellow celebrities going back to the ’80s…”
December 16: After complaining about questions during the CNN debate, Trump appears again on O’Reilly’s show.
The billionaire has doubled down, in a game of political chicken, hosting a rival event for military veterans at the same time as his own party showcases its candidates to Iowa voters.
Donald Trump speaks in front of thousands of supporters at a rally at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., on August 21, 2015.
But Trump said he wasn’t concerned.
“Not only would this be a heck of a debate, but it would also be a terrific opportunity to generate millions of dollars for the veterans”, donors from the pro-Cruz group, “Keep the Promise”, said in a joint statement Wednesday night, NBC reported.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a frequent target of Trump, said with a wry smile, “I kind of miss Donald Trump; he was a teddy bear to me”.
December 15: On the day of a CNN debate, Trump rips Kelly and Fox News for their coverage and analysis of his poll numbers and debate performances.
The evening kicked off with a tribute to what Fox News moderator Megyn Kelly called the “elephant not in the room”.
Trump said he personally donated $1 million.
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Much of the debate featured the candidates trying to drive home not only their messages, but chisel their identities into the minds of voters just now deciding.
