Trump Backs Out Of Last GOP Debate Before Iowa Because He Can't Control Megyn Kelly

Alan: Trump can't be a reality television star if he doesn't go on television.

It's really quite remarkable to see Trump cower before this bold woman.

The Latest: Megyn Kelly says Trump can’t control the media

January 2, 2016
Washington Post

DES MOINES, Iowa — Here are the latest developments from the 2016 race for president, one week out from the Iowa caucuses. All times local.

8:15 p.m.

Fox News anchor and debate moderator Megyn Kelly says Donald Trump is used to getting his way but can’t control the media.

Kelly responded Tuesday evening on her Fox News show, “The Kelly File,” to Trump’s announcement that he will boycott Thursday night’s Republican debate hosted by Fox News amid an ongoing dispute with Kelly and the network.

Kelly said her network and chief executive Roger Ailes had made it clear to Trump for months that they wouldn’t change their moderator line-up to suit his preferences.

Kelly says she’ll be at the debate, which will “go on with or without Mr. Trump.”

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7:50 p.m.

Sen. Ted Cruz is challenging Donald Trump to a one-on-one debate, saying he and the billionaire can go at it “mano a mano” if they can’t agree on a moderator.

Trump’s campaign announced Tuesday that he’s skipping the last scheduled debate with leading Republican candidates before the Iowa caucuses. Trump has criticized host Fox News and scheduled moderate Megyn Kelly in particular for what he calls “playing games.”

At a campaign stop Tuesday in Fairfield, Iowa, Cruz accused Trump of being afraid of mean questions from Kelly and said skipping the debate was tantamount to refusing to be interviewed for a job.

Riffing off Trump’s famous rejoinder from “The Apprentice,” Cruz said that if someone didn’t show up for an interview Trump would say, “You’re fired.”

Cruz and Trump are running a tight race heading into Monday’s Iowa’s caucuses. Cruz says Trump owes it to Iowa voters to debate.