Donald Trump Throws His Weight Around, Threatens to Pull Out of Debate, Other Candidates Follow Suit
The next Republican debate is shaping up to be even more of a clown show than the previous ones, as the candidates each throw tantrums and threaten to pull out if their demands aren’t met — starting with Donald Trump.
On the call, according to three sources who were on the line, Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s campaign manager, said that if the debate does not include opening or closing statements and is longer than two hours total, including commercial breaks, the real estate mogul would have to reconsider his participation.
Tempers flared!
First, Jason Miller, a top strategist for Ted Cruz, said his campaign would consider bailing if there weren’t openings and closings. Then, Chris LaCivita, an aide to Rand Paul, chimed in: “If we don’t have opening and closing statements, CNBC can go fck themselves.”
After Lewandowski spoke, others chimed in — including Beth Hansen, who said the conference call was a “debacle.”
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, an adviser to Mike Huckabee, voiced another concern: That not all candidates would have equal time to speak during the debate.
This is such a dignified, presidential slate of candidates, don’t you think?
Ben Carson is joining the mass tantrum as well: Donald Trump, Ben Carson Threaten to Boycott the Next GOP Debate.
Donald Trump and Ben Carson are both threatening to boycott the next Republican presidential debate if CNBC, who is hosting the event, and the Republican National Committee do not change the stated format of the event.
“Neither Mr. Trump or Dr. Carson will participate in your debate if it is longer than 120 minutes including commercials and does not include opening and closing statements,” the letter, obtained exclusively by NBC News and signed by both candidates, reads.