Trump: "Most likely I won't be doing the debate." UPDATE: He's out

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

This is a masterstroke. I don't understand how people think this will hurt him when Trump's benefit event will likely be more widely watched than the debate.

People will see that he is not serious, he is a sideshow.

If people haven't figured that out before now, why would they figure it out now?

[The Mikado]

This is a masterstroke. I don't understand how people think this will hurt him when Trump's benefit event will likely be more widely watched than the debate.

People will see that he is not serious, he is a sideshow.

What on Earth has given you the notion that anyone is looking for "serious" this election?

[Lief 🗽]

Will Huckabee be invited to the debate in TRUMP's place? He'd give Canadian Cruz a good thrashing.

[SillyAmerican]

This will probably improve the debate.

Agreed. Besides, his absence probably won't hurt him any, given the wackiness of this cycle.

[Edu]

I like how people are assuming that a Trumpless debate will have all the other candidates ganging up on his "empty podium" or whatever and succesfully destroy him.

That is a nice wet dream for the haters, but it is just that...a fantasy. Especially considering that such a scenario would catapult Cruz to the nomination and we already know that basically no one wants that.

Not only the debate will probably be the most unimportant of the whole election cycle in terms of viewership but Cruz will still probably be the main receiver of the attacks.

[The Other Castro]

Trump is holding a live rally in Iowa in a few minutes, so we'll probably get some more information on this.

[bigedlb]

Listen, I get that he may get some points for sticking up to the "big bad mainstream media", which amazingly now includes Fox News and Megyn Kelly. But what person, who is going to show up to the caucus and is deciding between Cruz and Trump, is not going to see Trump for the pussy that he is and will not be swayed by Cruz et al laying punches on the absent baby?

How is avoiding a biased establishment circlejerk to do some actual good being a pussy?

Because he is afraid of Megyn Kelly?

Hardly. Fox News essentially released a press release mocking him and saying it was open season on Trump. Standing there for two hours while everyone including the moderators beat on you is completely pointless and unfair bullsh*t that no candidate should have to endure. It would be like MSNBC hosting a GOP debate. Absolutely terrible.

Trump is a man among boys for this.

Fox News Response:
We learned from a secret back channel that the Ayatollah and Putin both intend to treat Donald Trump unfairly when they meet with him if he becomes president — a nefarious source tells us that Trump has his own secret plan to replace the Cabinet with his Twitter followers to see if he should even go to those meetings.

[RI]

Listen, I get that he may get some points for sticking up to the "big bad mainstream media", which amazingly now includes Fox News and Megyn Kelly. But what person, who is going to show up to the caucus and is deciding between Cruz and Trump, is not going to see Trump for the pussy that he is and will not be swayed by Cruz et al laying punches on the absent baby?

How is avoiding a biased establishment circlejerk to do some actual good being a pussy?

Because he is afraid of Megyn Kelly?

Hardly. Fox News essentially released a press release mocking him and saying it was open season on Trump. Standing there for two hours while everyone including the moderators beat on you is completely pointless and unfair bullsh*t that no candidate should have to endure. It would be like MSNBC hosting a GOP debate. Absolutely terrible.

Trump is a man among boys for this.

Fox News Response:
We learned from a secret back channel that the Ayatollah and Putin both intend to treat Donald Trump unfairly when they meet with him if he becomes president — a nefarious source tells us that Trump has his own secret plan to replace the Cabinet with his Twitter followers to see if he should even go to those meetings.

That was from before Trump pulled out. Incredibly unprofessional move on Fox's part.

[EliteLX]

Ted is going to absolouuteeely shred the big baby and he won't even be there to reply with a weak poll insult.

[This account no longer in use.]

Exactly . Whenever somebody attacks Trump, Trump neutralizes it. Except now he's not there to neutralize it.

[Maxwell]

Ted is going to absolouuteeely shred the big baby and he won't even be there to reply with a weak poll insult.

I would be surprised if Ted will be able to get to it before the rest of the field stabs Ted to death, as they all seem to be aiming to do.

[RI]

Imagine the headlines: "While GOP attacks him, Trump raises millions for veterans". Pure gold.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

Will they have an empty podium or will Cruz be center stage this time?

[The Other Castro]

Statement from Trump campaign:

[Edu]

Ted is going to absolouuteeely shred the big baby and he won't even be there to reply with a weak poll insult.

I would be surprised if Ted will be able to get to it before the rest of the field stabs Ted to death, as they all seem to be aiming to do.

It's hilarious how people around here don't undertand the simple fact that the man who will be the punching bag at that debate will be Cruz. If this move by Trump is really that damaging that people are calling him "childish" and "weak" all over the place and he'll lose percentage points regardless, then what incentive would people like Rubio have for pilling up on him. The obvious move here would be to attack Cruz and hope both Trump and Cruz go down.

[Maxwell]

reading that statement I am swayed from the "this is neutral" to "this will help him". The imagery is potent - Trump is out there helping veterans while the rest of the Republicans will spend their time TALKING.

[Lief 🗽]

reading that statement I am swayed from the "this is neutral" to "this will help him". The imagery is potent - Trump is out there helping veterans while the rest of the Republicans will spend their time TALKING.

Yup, it's the very embodiment of the "all talk, no action" politicians versus TRUMP, the doer.

[Edu]

Agree. heh, it will be hilarious to see one of the irrelevant dolts attacking Trump for being absent from a worthless debate and instead making a huge event to raise funds for veterans.

[Averroës Nix]

Ben Carson should take this opportunity to announce that he won't be participating either. It'd be his most attention-worthy moment in weeks, and he'd get to keep to what I assume is his usual bedtime.

[Edu]

Ben Carson should take this opportunity to announce that he won't be participating either. It'd be his most attention-worthy moment in weeks, and he'd get to keep to what I assume is his usual bedtime.

Carson putting up a camera to film himself sleeping while CSPAN airs that footage live would still be more entertaining than a Trumpless GOP debate.

[The Other Castro]

Trump currently speaking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl_34BeiMvg

[Vega]

Taking a cursory scan of the comments on his Facebook post, people don't seem to totally be on board.

I think that if he stresses that he'll be helping the Veterans, he will probably get a pass from all his people. 

[An American Tail: Fubart Goes West]

Donald Trump is a chicken.

[Likely Voter]

I think they should bring in Triumph the Insult Comic Dog to stand in for Trump.

[The Free North]

Imagine the headlines: "While GOP attacks him, Trump raises millions for veterans". Pure gold.

Yup. This is basically why Trump has already won.

He can tell the people of Iowa, if you like the politics in Washington and the mainstream media, go watch the debate....if you want something different, come with me, we'll raise money for the troops and kick some ass.


No contest, KO for Trump.