- Wed Mar 16, 2016 8:17 pm
#69841
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A scheduled Republican presidential debate in Salt Lake City has been canceled after GOP front-runner Donald Trump announced he would not attend.
Fox News, the network set to host the event, confirmed the news that had been reported by other news organizations earlier after it became apparent Texas Sen. Ted Cruz may be the sole candidate on stage.
"Ted Cruz has expressed a willingness to debate Trump or Kasich — or both," Fox News Channel's Michael Clemente said in a statement. "But obviously, there needs to be more than one participant. So the Salt Lake City debate is cancelled."
Earlier Wednesday, Trump said on Fox News: "I think we've had enough debates."
Hours after Trump's announcement, an aide to John Kasich said the Ohio governor also would not attend if Trump does not show.
"No debate in SLC (Salt Lake City) Monday due to Trump backing out," tweeted Kasich adviser John Weaver. "No surprise Trump avoiding contrast."
Cruz, the third candidate in the Republican race, denounced Trump's decision to skip the debate, calling him "Ducking Donald."
Trump said he only recently learned about the Monday Salt Lake City debate and already has a commitment that same night. The GOP front-runner is scheduled to address the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's annual conference that same day.
Fox News, the network set to host the event, confirmed the news that had been reported by other news organizations earlier after it became apparent Texas Sen. Ted Cruz may be the sole candidate on stage.
"Ted Cruz has expressed a willingness to debate Trump or Kasich — or both," Fox News Channel's Michael Clemente said in a statement. "But obviously, there needs to be more than one participant. So the Salt Lake City debate is cancelled."
Earlier Wednesday, Trump said on Fox News: "I think we've had enough debates."
Hours after Trump's announcement, an aide to John Kasich said the Ohio governor also would not attend if Trump does not show.
"No debate in SLC (Salt Lake City) Monday due to Trump backing out," tweeted Kasich adviser John Weaver. "No surprise Trump avoiding contrast."
Cruz, the third candidate in the Republican race, denounced Trump's decision to skip the debate, calling him "Ducking Donald."
Trump said he only recently learned about the Monday Salt Lake City debate and already has a commitment that same night. The GOP front-runner is scheduled to address the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's annual conference that same day.