Donald Trump was right: his absence really did lower debate viewership

Donald Trump, a controversial Republican presidential front-runner, today shunned the last primary debate before the Iowa caucus but relished the drama triggered by his snub of a top United States news network, taunting his rivals at a competing fundraising event schemed to chide them. Rand Paul (R-KY) pose for photographers prior to the Fox News – Google GOP Debate January 28, 2016 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Trump, who continues to lead in polls in Iowa and elsewhere, held his own event-a benefit for veterans at Drake University. “We are hearing about whether someone is going to show up for the next debate or not”, he said in the early debate, which also featured former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore and former business executive Carly Fiorina.

The night came complete with strategic maneuvers and a bit of political gambling for the GOP.

In all, Trump commanded 36 percent of the Twitter traffic during Thursday night’s debate, according to the social media company. Trump boycotted the debate in the midst of a feud with Fox News Channel. He needs more than just those fox who are anti-Fox news Republicans.

So that gives Fox News some room to boast about how it beat down Trump in the ratings.

Cruz and other rivals had mocked Trump for skipping the debate since his decision on Tuesday.

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.

“They’ve been very nice and wanted me to go, and apologised and everything”, he said. “You have to stick up for yourself, you have to fight for yourself and you have to fight for your country”. “But who really loses in this are all the other Republicans, because the story will now be all about Trump versus Fox”.

Days ahead of that critical test, Trump’s absence on the stage in Des Moines was keenly felt by his seven rivals in the race to be Republican presidential nominee. “Gosh, if you guys ask one more mean question, I may have to leave the stage”.

Asked if he would take a third-place finish, Mr. Rubio said: “We want to get as many votes as we can”.