Donald Trump bragged Thursday morning that two other candidates have asked if they can join his veterans benefit event, which Trump will host Thursday night instead of going to the seventh GOP debate in Iowa.
Wow, two candidates called last night and said they want to go to my event tonight at Drake University.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2016
Trump didn’t name who the candidates were.
While some analysts were saying Trump would hurt his campaign by not attending the debate with other candidates, Trump on Thursday was talking up the event as one that would draw away the debate audience.
He retweeted one tweet that said it “sounds like the advertisers want Trump,” and another that said he wants someone in the White House that “takes no BS.”
Last night, he noted a poll taken by Fox News host Greta Van Susteren that said 87 percent of participants said they wouldn’t watch the debate if Trump isn’t there.
On Greta, 87% of the people said they would not watch the debate if I’m not in it. Wow- what an honor!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2016
Trump abandoned the debate after Fox issued a sarcastic response to his complaint that Megyn Kelly would be moderating the event.
Trump’s campaign says his response is related to Fox’s attitude, and has rejected claims that he’s afraid of Kelly.
Trump seemed to revel in the idea of taking away the debate audience and turning it into his own audience.
FOX debate advertising rates falling like a rock! Tune into my special event for the Veterans at 9pm EST!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2016
