Trump to skip debate and star in town hall

January 10, 2024

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attends a campaign event, in Clinton, Iowa, U.S., January 6, 2024.

REUTERS/Cheney Orr

Move over, DC, the political hub of the US is in the midwest this week.

Wednesday night is the final GOP debate before primary voting kicks off in Iowa on Friday. The pressure is on for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who are hoping to put a dent in Trump’s resounding lead. The two were the only candidates to qualify under the host network CNN’s higher requirements, which knocked out former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Trump is skipping Wednesday’s debate, as he has the past four, and will instead host a town hall in Iowa, televised on Fox News.

Trump, whose legal troubles have him eager to clinch the nomination as quickly as possible, is looking to earn a decisive win in Iowa. He has ratcheted up attacks on opponents over the last week, particularly against Haley. The question is whether she and DeSantis, who have resisted turning on the former president, will now fire back against Trump on the debate stage.

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