Both ABC News and CNN canceled their New Hampshire GOP primary debates when only Governor Ron DeSantis said he would attend.
Nikki Haley withdrew at the eleventh hour, citing her participation only if President Trump attended.
President Trump opted not to participate in any Republican debates this season, confident in having already secured the Republican votes.
As it turns out, his confidence was well-placed.
DeSantis took a very distant second-place in Iowa, with 21 percent of the votes, and Haley walked away with 19 percent.
Despite coming in at third-place, Haley still declared that the race is between herself and President Trump — who won in a historic landslide victory, with the largest margin ever recorded.
“When you look at how we’re doing in New Hampshire, in South Carolina, and beyond, I can safely say tonight Iowa made this Republican primary a two-person race,” a delusional Haley claimed.
3rd place Nikki haley refuses to debate DeSantis
— Tim Pool (@Timcast) January 17, 2024
CNN Cancels debatehttps://t.co/Vrre8R7HeS
From ABC News:
ABC News and WMUR are canceling their planned Republican primary debate in New Hampshire on Thursday, citing a lack of candidate participation.
“Our intent was to host a debate coming out of the Iowa caucuses, but we always knew that would be contingent on the candidates and the outcome of the race,” an ABC News spokesperson said in a statement. “As a result, while our robust election coverage will continue, ABC News and WMUR-TV will not be moving forward with Thursday’s Republican presidential primary debate in New Hampshire.”
The decision comes shortly after a deadline set by ABC News and New Hampshire TV station WMUR for both former President Donald Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley to respond to their invitations to the debate by Tuesday afternoon.
Neither campaign confirmed they would attend.
Ron DeSantis was not happy that there won’t be another debate, emphasizing the importance of debating, and saying Nikki Haley needs to show up.
“She needs to show up”: DeSantis calls out Nikki Haley for trying to skip the scheduled New Hampshire debate next week.
“When have we had a New Hampshire primary where you haven’t debated in New Hampshire?”
Watch:
“She needs to show up”: DeSantis calls out Nikki Haley for trying to skip the scheduled New Hampshire debate next week.
— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) January 12, 2024
“When have we had a New Hampshire primary where you haven’t debated in New Hampshire?” pic.twitter.com/nhRBGm0JlD
