(CNN) - Michele Bachmann became the latest candidate to decline Donald Trump's invitation to his upcoming Republican presidential debate, her top spokesperson, Alice Stewart, told CNN.
She's the fifth candidate to turn down the offer, leaving former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich as the only two candidates scheduled to face off at the event.
Trump and Newsmax, a conservative magazine, will host the debate on Dec. 27.
Bachmann has met with Trump multiple times on the campaign trail. With his highly-prized endorsement, his offices in New York City have become a popular stop for several of the GOP presidential candidates.
From CNN Politics
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Bachmann desperatly needs to appear sane.
"Highly-prized endorsement"? ... I laughed so hard I cried!
This will be a really interesting debate with only Santorum and Newt on stage. Or maybe Santorum will call in sick the last minute so Newt can debate Donald, then Donald will declare himself a candidate, again.
Definitely (I'm from Texas) the only smart decision Perry has ever made and apparently Bachman too!
I'm really surprised that she declined. I'm pretty sure I remember a lot of false eyelash batting when she talked about being in Donald's royal presence.