On January 10, former President Donald Trump, the leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, will instead attend a town hall hosted by Fox News in lieu of attending the fifth Republican primary debate.
Next Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. ET, the Fox News town hall, moderated by hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, will be held in Des Moines, Iowa.
It has been reported that the GOP candidates will convene in the same city and at the same time for a CNN debate just days prior to the Iowa caucuses.
Trump’s abstention from the debate is consistent with his previous approach, which has drawn criticism from his Republican adversaries.
However, despite his absence from all debates, the former president’s lead in the polls has not been affected.
Trump declared in August, prior to the first Republican primary debate, that he would “not be participating in the debates,” citing his substantial lead in polls over the other candidates.
As of now, according to the network, solely Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley have achieved qualification for the CNN debate scheduled for next Wednesday.
The polling margins for DeSantis and Haley are currently tied in Iowa and New Hampshire as the first caucuses and primary approaches.
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