RNC and FOX News Cancel Scheduled Utah GOP Debate
The 13th GOP debate scheduled for Monday in Salt Lake City, Utah has been canceled by FOX News after front-runner Donald Trump and Ohio Governor John Kasich said they would not attend.
“I think we have had enough debates,” Trump said Wednesday on Fox show ‘FOX & Friends’ when asked if he was going to attend the debate. “I think we’ve had enough debates to be honest with you.”
When asked why he is skipping the debate, Trump stated he is scheduled to give a speech at a pro-Israel group AIPAC’s conference on Monday night. “I’m doing a major speech in front of a very important group of people. I think it’s 8 or 9,000 people that night and it was scheduled a while ago and nobody told me there were going to be more debates,” Trump said. “I’ve committed to a speech and I’ve committed to it.”
Following Trump announcement, an aide to Kasich tweeted that the Ohio governor would also not attend if Trump wasn’t going to show up.
No debate in SLC Monday due to Trump backing out. No surprise Trump avoiding contrast. Utah: @JohnKasich headed your way Fri.
— John Weaver (@JWGOP) March 16, 2016
If Trump changes his mind — as Carson said there are 2 Trumps — we will be there. Positive contrasts nicely with division. #Sybil
— John Weaver (@JWGOP) March 16, 2016
As for Texas Senator Ted Cruz, he denounced Trump’s decision to skip the debate, calling him “Ducking Donald.”
#DuckingDonald strikes again. Tell @realDonaldTrump to debate –> https://t.co/4VjAOsIyqj pic.twitter.com/CspRHDV8oF
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 16, 2016
Following Trump and Kasich announcement, it was confirmed by FOX 13 News, a local FOX affiliate in Utah, that the debate was cancelled. According to FOX 13 News, Utah GOP Party cited Kasich’s decision to back out would have left Cruz as the only candidate on the stage as the reason for the event to be cancelled.
RNC spokeswoman, Allison Moore said it’s really up to the candidates to decide if they want to participate. While we’d prefer all of our candidates take part, it is ultimately up to each candidate whether or not they want to participate.”
The debate in Utah was scheduled a day before Utah’s caucus and Arizona’s primary.
