DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 28 (UPI) — Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump said two other candidates will be joining his counter event Thursday during the Fox News-hosted GOP debate.
Early Thursday, Trump tweeted, “Wow, two candidates called last night and said they want to go to my event tonight at Drake University.” Wednesday, Trump’s campaign manager told MSNBC’s Morning Joe other candidates were interested in attending the event.
Trump did not announce who the potentially accompanying candidates will be. Since the seven higher-polling candidates will be onstage at the primetime debate at Drake University in Iowa, the presumption is the two campaigning with Trump will be among the four remaining underdogs: Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Carly Fiorina and Jim Gilmore.
Trump announced Tuesday he will be Megyn Kelly”>skipping the final debate in Des Moines before the Iowa caucuses due to an ongoing spat with Fox News and moderator Megyn Kelly, with whom he clashed at the first Fox News-hosted debate in August.
He said he would only participate if Kelly was removed. Fox has made it clear that would not happen. The billionaire announced he will instead hold a counter event to benefit veteran’s organizations simultaneously with the debate.
The Republican front-runner also tweeted his absence at the debate will hurt Fox ratings.
“Fox debate advertising rates falling like a rock! Tune into my special event for the Veterans at 9pm EST!
