Television debates have been a mainstay in presidential campaigns since 1976. Now, the GOP presidential front-runner is taking a big gamble just days before the Iowa caucuses.
Trump commands the spotlight once again as he ditches a Fox News debate. The other cable news networks — which don't have broadcasting rights to the debate — will probably air the Trump event instead.
GOP front-runner Donald Trump, upset over his treatment by Fox News and by top anchor Megyn Kelly, is boycotting the final debate ahead of the Iowa caucuses.
"I liked The Kelly File much better without" Megyn Kelly on it, Trump said in one tweet. "Perhaps she could take another eleven day unscheduled vacation!"
Rick Perry, Bobby Jindal, Carly Fiorina, Rick Santorum, Lindsey Graham, George Pataki and Jim Gilmore didn't make the prime-time debate. Instead, they took shots at the people they wanted to debate.
Donald Trump is on top, followed by Jeb Bush and Scott Walker. Chris Christie and John Kasich barely make it in, while Rick Perry misses the cutoff for the main debate stage.