A Fox News spokesman told The Hill newspaper on Thursday that Trump told the network that he would only participate in the debate if it donated $5 million to charities.
Advertisement
Trump said he personally kicked in $1 million.
In fact, debate viewership actually went up without the businessman and former reality star on stage. “I’m a maniac and everyone on this stage is stupid, fat and ugly, and Ben, you’re a awful surgeon”, he told his rivals, including Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon.
Jeb Bush, Trump’s favorite punching bag on the campaign trail, joked that he missed the outspoken billionaire.
After the event, Trump’s campaign announced he raised $6 million for veterans Thursday after setting up a website earlier in the day.
Moderated by Megyn Kelly, Bret Baier and Chris Wallace, and presented in conjunction with Google, the combined Fox News event was also a driving force online and across social media.
“The debates are a awful waste of money, we don’t need any more”, said Sidney Williams, 75, of Wellesley, Mass. “I’m a big supporter”.
“I did something that was very risky and I think it turned out great because I’m on the front page of every paper”.
Residents will choose among the Republican and Democratic candidates battling to become their party’s 2016 presidential nominee.
“Now that we’ve gotten the Donald Trump portion out of the way…” Instead, he hosted a fundraising event for veterans just a few miles away. And he said Carl Icahn, the investor who now owns the Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, gave $500,000.
The other candidates really couldn’t resist mocking Mr Trump for boycotting the final debate.
And with polls showing Trump holding a marginal lead in state polls, Tame says the no-show “might just be enough to pave a path to victory in Iowa”.
However, Fox News in a statement said the network’s CEO Roger Ailes had “three brief conversations” with Trump, where he “acknowledged his concerns about a satirical observation we made in order to quell the attacks on (anchor) Megyn Kelly, and prevent her from being smeared any further”.
“Will I get more votes?”
“I’m not a pundit”, he said.
Advertisement
“Welcome to debate night Americana style, a nation in the balance”, Colbert said on the “Late Show with Stephen Colbert”.
