Donald Trump announced today that he is bowing out as the moderator for a Republican presidential debate later this month.
The real estate mogul and reality TV star made the announcement after most of the Republican candidates already decided against attending. Though the debate is technically sponsored by Newsmax, Trump’s role as moderator stirred debate among the Republican field.
Some expressed concern that Trump, who previously flirted with a possible Republican presidential bid, would not definitively rule out running as a third-party candidate.
Trump said Tuesday that, for that reason, he will not participate in the debate.
“It is very important to me that the right Republican candidate be chosen to defeat the failed and very destructive Obama Administration, but if that Republican, in my opinion, is not the right candidate, I am not willing to give up my right to run as an Independent candidate,” he said. “Therefore, so that there is no conflict of interest within the Republican Party, I have decided not to be the moderator of the Newsmax debate. The American people are embarrassed by the gridlock currently taking place in Washington. I must leave all of my options open because, above all else, we must make America great again!”
{Fox News/Matzav.com Newscenter}
Peirush: His ego was bruised because the majority of the candidates declined, so he’s grabbing the criticism of him as an excuse to back out.