Trump pulls out of debate
(CNN) - Donald Trump pulled out of the debate he was scheduled to host on Dec. 27 with conservative media organization Newsmax, according to a statement from the real estate mogul.
Trump, who considered a Republican presidential bid earlier this year, said he will not moderate the event to avoid a conflict of interest stemming from a potential independent presidential bid.
"It is very important to me that the right Republican candidate be chosen to defeat the failed and very destructive Obama Administration, but if that Republican, in my opinion, is not the right candidate, I am not willing to give up my right to run as an Independent candidate," Trump said in a statement. "Therefore, so that there is no conflict of interest within the Republican Party, I have decided not to be the moderator of the Newsmax debate."
Republican candidates Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker, and Rick Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator, agreed to participate in the debate, but Trump said other candidates declined because of his potential run.
"I would like to thank Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum for having the courage, conviction, and confidence to immediately accept being a part of the Newsmax debate," Trump said. "I believe this would not only have been the most watched debate, but also the most substantive and interesting debate!"
Responding to the announcement on Tuesday, Santorum said he was looking forward to a match with Gingrich at the debate.
"The media has anointed Newt as the frontrunner, isn't it time he go toe to toe with the consistent conservative alternative? The people of Iowa deserve as many opportunities to hear from the candidates as possible, because while Obama is beatable, we have to elect a conservative nominee who's record is a clear contrast to the President's," Santorum said in a statement to CNN.
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, who's met with Trump multiple times, was widely expected to attend the debate but made headlines last week when she declined the invitation.
On Tuesday she explained her decision, saying the debate ultimately wouldn't be worth her time given that only three candidates would be facing off on stage.
"It wasn't going to be a real debate," she said on Sean Hannity's conservative radio talk show. "There was no point in it."
Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus took issue last week with Trump's impending role as moderator, calling into question his potential run as an independent and saying he would understand if some 2012 candidates turned down the offer.
"I think that having a successful businessman serving as a moderator has a lot of value but the issue here is whether the moderator should be a person who is still batting around the idea of running as an independent," Priebus said on Fox News.
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"I think that having a successful businessman serving as a moderator has a lot of value"
WHAT?!?!? You mean a guy who had a dad that was a multi multi millionaire and ran multiple companies into the ground, having to declare bankruptcy multiple times to get out of those debts.
THAT is a successful businessman? These people are CRAZY!
Oh, no! The world is going to end today!
Oh puhleeze!!!!!!! Why was ANYONE taking any of his nonsense seriously? Trump is a grade A buffoon, and the mainstream media, and the public, should NEVER have given him a platform for any of his ludicrous rantings.
This is so funny. Trump didn't "pull out". Everyone but Santorum (who is desperate for attention) and Gingrich (enough said) were the only two desperate enough to show. Trump was dumped!!
Nice spin though, Donald. This way it makes it look like you're calling the shots – NOT!!
Too bad his father did not pull out when he had the chance.
I'm surprised he didn't trot out his daughter to make the announcement like he's done in the past. She must have been "washing her hair" today.
"noemi
Trump is like a festering boil on the butt of humanity....... Enough said!!!!" <- So very true!!!
In my opinion, most of the political system in this country has been reduced to idiots and biggots. These men seriously want us to consider them for President??? What a joke. What has this country come to??????? The way these men represent themselves on and off TV disgusts me.
He pulled out because everyone blew him off. Period.
Donald, your FIRED!
Gee what a surprise. another publicity stunt by this nutcase.
The thought that this guy could ever become president is scary.
He is thin skinned, hostile and everything is about money... He would run the United States like a corporation..
Deal with other countries only on issues where the bottom line was about money..
Scary.. Because where would compassion and humanity fit in? No where..
"Trump pulls out." -> Not quite coitus interruptus. He's not done screwing with us.
Trump's ego must really be hurting.
I never understood why someone would declare Trump the kingmaker except as a publicity stunt. Those repubs that went to visit him initially should be seen as too stupid to be president.
Mitt Romney made a very wise decision ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Boycott everything Trump!!!! He's an outright racist and is proud of it. Don't watch his shows! Don't watch his pageants! Don't stay at his hotels! BOYCOTT TRUMP!!!
Hopefully we will have Gin Grinch as GOP nominee(MR corrupt) and Donald(Mr Bankrupt) running as independent. It will make great entertainment to have an serial adulterer and this fake hair piece.
it's a miracle,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,he is still talking without shame,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
What a joke he is he's like a boil on the ass of humanity.
Ron Paul was correct; Trumps's presence diluted the legitimacy of this process.
The great puller outer.
When Trump was a child he bahaved like a child, but now HE a man bahaves like a child. Foolish...Very foolish.
Let's be honest. Without all the candidates, no one will watch and in turn, no money will be made. Isn't that what Trump is all about. He can milk the whole independent thing until next November, he will be in the news until then. The guy ain't no dummy, except when it comes to running for president.
Uh – it was his debate to begin with. He organized it. And he's pulling out because there simply isn't a debate; everyone invited declined but for two, and there is little doubt those two would have bailed by the end of the week anyway.
Are the Democrats paying Trump? 'Cause it sure seems that way.
No Donald, nobody wanted to come to your little party, so you had to cancel in order to save your fat face