SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, March 14, 2016 (Gephardt Daily/UPI) — Fox News Channel has announced it will host the Salt Lake City Republican presidential primary debate.
The two-hour debate will be presented live from the Salt Palace Convention Center at 7 p.m. Mountain Time on March 21.
“Special Report” anchor Bret Baier, “The Kelly File” anchor Megyn Kelly and “Fox News Sunday” host Chris Wallace will return as moderators before voters go to the polls in Arizona and Utah on March 22. All remaining candidates in the primary race will be invited to participate in the debate.
Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump hinted Friday he will skip his party’s Salt Lake City debate, saying 13 of them should be enough.
“I think it’s time to end the debates,” Trump said during a morning press conference. “I didn’t even know about about a debate in Salt Lake City.”
Trump made the statement during a morning press conference at which he received an official endorsement from GOP candidate Ben Carson. Carson suspended his campaign last week after a series of dismal performances in Republican primaries and caucuses.
“How many times do you have to give the same answer to the same question? The networks want them. I don’t think any of the candidates want them at this point,” Trump said.
Earlier this year, a debate planned for Fox News went on despite Trump’s last minute decision to hold a counter event to raise money for wounded veterans.
The Republican National Committee announced the Salt Lake City debate on Feb. 20, back when there was still no frontrunner in the race for GOP the nomination.
Utah Republican Party organizers say they’ve received thousands of request for debate tickets even though a venue had not been announced.
Those interested in attending the debate may request tickets through the Utah GOP website.
