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Wednesday, January 3, 2024

FNC To Air Trump Townhall Opposite GOP Debate On CNN


Fox News has announced  that it would host former President Donald Trump for a prime time town hall in Iowa while Republicans hoping to beat Trump to the GOP nomination debate across town on CNN. The town hall will air Thursday, January 10 at 9 p.m. ET and be moderated by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.

CNN’s Republican debate—also live January 10 at 9 p.m. ET—will be moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash from Drake University in Des Moines.

Forbes reports Iowa Republicans will deliver the first real winners and losers of the 2024 cycle when they caucus on January 15th, and the state has seen the candidates intensifying their efforts to solidify support. Before Christmas, a Des Moines Register poll had Trump with a huge lead—51 percent, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in second place with 19% and Nikki Haley third with 16%.

Trump has skipped all of the Republican primary debates as the 2024 presidential cycle kicks into gear, but said last month he “will look forward” to debating President Biden once Trump has grabbed the nomination.

For Fox’s Baier and MacCallum, who moderated the first Republican presidential primary debate in Milwaukee, the town hall likely means keeping an eye on the CNN debate and getting reaction from Trump. It will also—especially in Trump’s ratings-obsessed eyes—offer a glimpse at where viewers want to focus their attention: on Trump, or the fight to replace him.

The first Republican debate on Fox delivered 13 million viewers and remains the most-watched debate of the 2024 cycle.

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