Thursday’s Republican debate: Who won, where was Donald Trump, best memes

Trump’s boycott has injected en element of chaos to the presidential race just days before the February 1 Iowa Caucus.

The event is believed to have raised a staggering $5 million for war veterans after Trump launched a new website to collect donations.

Well, all the Republican candidates save for Donald Trump, who skipped the debate for his own high-profile event in Iowa.

The GOP hopefuls may have railed against Donald Trump in his absence on Thursday night, but some also took a cue from his anti-Fox News playbook.

Fox’s statement said Mr Ailes had three brief conversations with Mr Trump on Thursday about possibly appearing at the debate, but “there were not multiple calls placed by Ailes to Trump”.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum joined Trump at the event.

But Trump was a target at the main debate despite his absence, as his rivals took turns reminding debate viewers about his spat with Kelly.

The Iowa caucuses on Monday were seen as the first real test of the election campaign, and the beginning of a series of state-by-state contests to chose delegates for both Republicans and Democrats.

“When you’re treated badly, you have to stick up for your rights”, Mr Trump said, explaining he was skipping the debate because he felt Fox News had dealt with him unfairly.

Donald Trump, the front-runner in the Republican primaries, was not present to answer questions or trade barbs, though his platform and personal style were central issues addressed by the other candidates.

Still, whatever else you think of Trump, let’s acknowledge one thing – when it comes to political tactics, he is playing chess while the rest of the field is playing checkers. The link, which he posted on Twitter, includes the seal of the Donald J. Trump Foundation, and a form for contributions.

As Trump prepares for his event, the first debate will air on the Fox News Channel and FoxNews.com at 7 p.m. ET. “Furthermore, Trump offered to appear at the debate upon the condition that Fox News contribute $5 million to his charities”, the statement continued. However, he moved forward with plans to host a rally a few miles away that his campaign said would raise money for wounded warriors.

It’s unclear which groups will be involved in the Trump veterans event Thursday night in Des Moines.

A spokesman of Santorum confirmed that he would be attending Trump’s event.

“I watch all the debates so far and I am especially going to watch this one no matter who is in it”, voter Joe Lutgen told us.