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Trump says he will boycott final pre-Iowa Republican debate Trump says he will boycott final pre-Iowa Republican debate
(about 4 hours later)
Donald Trump has said he will boycott the final Republican presidential debate before the Iowa caucuses.Donald Trump has said he will boycott the final Republican presidential debate before the Iowa caucuses.
The maverick Republican frontrunner accused Fox News debate moderator Megyn Kelly, whom he has clashed with in the past, of being a "lightweight". The Republican frontrunner had clashed with the moderator, Megyn Kelly of Fox News, in the first debate in August and says she would not treat him fairly.
The unexpected move prompted his closest rival, Senator Ted Cruz, to challenge him to a one-on-one debate. Fox News accused Mr Trump of vicious attacks on Kelly and making demands that she be removed. Capitulating would "violate all journalistic standards".
Mr Trump's campaign manager announced the decision on Tuesday evening, with just 48 hours to go before the debate. "We can't give in to terrorisations toward any of our employees," it said.
"He will not be participating in the Fox News debate Thursday," Corey Lewandowski said immediately after the press conference. Mr Trump's campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, had announced the pullout on Tuesday evening, with just 48 hours to go before the debate.
The announcement followed a press conference in which Mr Trump lashed out at Ms Kelly, claiming she had been "toying" with him. Fox News accused Mr Lewandowski of making threats towards Megyn Kelly.
Mr Trump said he intended to hold a separate Iowa event at the same time as the debate to raise money for wounded veterans. Iowa hosts the nation's opening presidential primary contest on Monday. Its statement read: "In a call on Saturday with a Fox News executive, Lewandowski stated that Megyn had a 'rough couple of days after that last debate' and he 'would hate to have her go through that again'.
"Lewandowski was warned not to level any more threats, but he continued to do so."
Fox said Mr Trump would still be welcome at the debate and would be treated fairly but "he can't dictate the moderators or the questions".
"We're not sure how Iowans are going to feel about him walking away from them at the last minute," Fox said.
Mr Trump had earlier lashed out at Kelly, claiming she had been "toying" with him.
He said he intended to hold a separate Iowa event at the same time as the debate to raise money for wounded veterans. Iowa hosts the nation's opening presidential primary contest on Monday.
"With me, they're dealing with somebody that's a little bit different," he said."With me, they're dealing with somebody that's a little bit different," he said.
"They can't toy with me like they toy with everybody else. Let them have their debate and let's see how they do with the ratings.""They can't toy with me like they toy with everybody else. Let them have their debate and let's see how they do with the ratings."
Mr Trump's unexpected move prompted his closest rival, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, to challenge him to a one-on-one debate.
Mr Cruz said: "Apparently Megyn Kelly is really, really scary. And you know, Donald is a fragile soul."
'With or without''With or without'
On Tuesday night's airing of her Fox News show, The Kelly File, Kelly said the debate would "go on with or without Mr Trump".On Tuesday night's airing of her Fox News show, The Kelly File, Kelly said the debate would "go on with or without Mr Trump".
A Fox News spokesperson said Mr Trump was still welcome to participate in the debate but would not be allowed to "dictate the moderators or the questions". In the first Republican TV debate back in August, Mr Trump accused her of asking "ridiculous" questions.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) said the decision was up to Mr Trump. In a statement widely perceived to be a reference to menstruation, something Mr Trump later denied, he said: "You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever."
The Republican National Committee (RNC) said Mr Trump's latest decision to withdraw was up to him.
"Obviously we would love all of the candidates to participate, but each campaign ultimately makes their own decision what's in their best interest," said RNC chief strategist Sean Spicer."Obviously we would love all of the candidates to participate, but each campaign ultimately makes their own decision what's in their best interest," said RNC chief strategist Sean Spicer.
Mr Trump had added an element of unpredictability to the Republican contest, and helped generate big ratings in the previous six Republican presidential debates.Mr Trump had added an element of unpredictability to the Republican contest, and helped generate big ratings in the previous six Republican presidential debates.
His decision leaves seven other candidates in the debate: Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Ohio Governor John Kasich and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. His decision leaves seven other candidates in the debate: Mr Cruz, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Ohio Governor John Kasich and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul.
The New York real estate mogul, who is in a tight race with Mr Cruz, has garnered media attention with provocative actions and statements, including a call for a temporary ban on all Muslim immigrants.The New York real estate mogul, who is in a tight race with Mr Cruz, has garnered media attention with provocative actions and statements, including a call for a temporary ban on all Muslim immigrants.