Donald Trump mocked by rivals as he boycotts Republican TV debate

Trump has repeatedly questioned the validity of Cruz’s American citizenship.

Those participating in the “primetime” debate Thursday were Sen.

While his rivals were exchanging verbal blows, Trump packed an auditorium at Drake University for what he described as a fund-raiser for veterans, where he went after some of his favorite targets unchallenged.

Elsewhere in Des Moines at the same time, Mr Trump led a raucous rally in honour of the country’s war veterans.

Even though he was absent, Trump figured prominently in the debate. In fact, it was in the first few words of the first question.

Cruz accused Rubio of making a “politically advantageous” decision to support a 2013 Senate bill that included a pathway to citizenship, while the Florida senator said his rival was “willing to say or do anything to get votes”.

CNN and MSNBC both cut to the event when Trump began, but cut away when he wasn’t speaking.

CNN obtained Nielsen’s ratings data, which said the Fox News debate pulled in an 8.4 rating.

Updated: Still, the audience for the seventh of the GOP presidential debates was substantially smaller than the August 6 Fox News broadcast, which attracted 24 million viewers, according to the Los Angeles Tines. He even chided two lesser-known presidential candidates, former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley and former Virginia governor Jim Gilmore. Rick Santorum, joined Trump onstage at his event after their debate.

Fox said its chairman, Roger Ailes, “acknowledged (Trump’s) concerns” in three phone conversations with the candidate Thursday, but wouldn’t agree to Trump’s conditions for coming to the debate. Marco Rubio, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Ohio Gov. John Kasich greet the crowd at Thursday’s Fox News debate. Colbert wondered as he flashed a photo of Hillary Clinton next to the candidate-but perhaps he has more to fear from the Late Show host.

Cruz and Rubio had several exchanges during the 2-hour debate.

In all, Trump commanded 36 per cent of the Twitter traffic during last night’s debate, according to the social media company.

“I’m getting more publicity”, Trump said. “They’ve been very nice and wanted me to go, and apologised and everything”. “When you’re treated badly, you have to stick up for your rights”, Mr Trump said.

Fox did not leave an empty podium for Trump at its debate, and didn’t mention his absence until Kelly opened the questioning, speaking to Sen.