Fox averaged a record-smashing 25 million viewers last August during the first Trump-fueled debate of the season.
Advertisement
Trump instead hosted an event Thursday night in Iowa to raise money for veterans’ causes – raking in about $6 million, including a $1 million donation of his own, for 22 veterans organizations, the campaign said.
Hundreds of Trump supporters were seen waiting for hours to enter the auditorium for the event organised at a short notice after the real estate tycoon had a simmering feud with the conservative Fox News, which hosted the primary debate.
In these terms, Fox beat The Donald in viewership, but there are other ways to spin the numbers.
Rubio has been gaining traction in Iowa, and it’s possible that Cruz doesn’t want his fellow senator to catch him for second in the Hawkeye State, behind the surging Trump.
He took to Twitter early Friday to tout his popularity. “And they’ve wanted me there”, he said at the beginning of the fundraiser for veterans. Trump mused. “But we raised over $5 million in one day!”
“Well, you know, you were joking just before we went on air that it was sort of like Voldemort, he who must not be named”, Cruz, 45, reportedly said to her afterward.
ONE News US correspondent Jack Tame says Trump’s decision not to debate is a gamble.
Even though Trump was not in attendance, his presence was felt during the night, even with the late night comics.
“When you’re treated badly, you have to stick up for your rights”, the mogul, 69, said as he opened the event, doubling down on his claim that Fox News – and particularly its anchor Megyn Kelly – has shown bias against him.
The debate was not attended by the Republican leader Donald Trump.
Donald Trump ratcheted up his attacks on Texas Sen.
“I don’t think Ted Cruz has a great chance, he’s a nasty guy, nobody likes him, nobody in Congress likes him”, Donald responded.
Advertisement
According to Monmouth University pollsters, a Trump victory depends on “lone wolf caucusgoers” who are haven’t caucused before – and the polls actually suggest these people are going to show up. “They called me a few minutes ago and I said, ‘Hasn’t it already started?'”
