Donald Trump Pulling Out Of GOP Debate (VIDEO)

Donald Trump has announced Tuesday that he is pulling out of his own Dec. 27th debate.

"I have decided not to be the moderator of the Newsmax debate," Trump said in a statement. "I believe this would not only have been the most watched debate, but also the most substantive and interesting debate."

Trump said that he was ending the debate because he did not want to "give up my right to run as an independent candidate," which he claimed the Republican Party was asking him to do if he wanted to moderate the debate. (Trump made waves by very loudly claiming he was considering running as a Republican earlier in the year.)

The announcement came just eleven days after Trump initially said he was partnering with the conservative magazine to host a forum with the remaining Republican presidential candidates. Since then, a majority of those candidates made clear that they would not be turning up, with only Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum pledging to appear.

Trump also attracted the usual share of public ridicule for his decision to moderate, as well as his pledge to endorse whichever candidate he liked best at the debate.

As the days went on, Trump began making noises about possibly canceling the debate; however, as late as Monday night, he was still saying that the forum was taking place.

Trump's full statement:

The Republican Party candidates are very concerned that sometime after the final episode of The Apprentice, on May 20th, when the equal time provisions are no longer applicable to me, I will announce my candidacy for President of the United States as an Independent and that, unless I conclusively agree not to run as an Independent, they will not agree to attend or be a part of the Newsmax debate scheduled for December 27, 2011. 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. 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!

I would like to thank Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum for having the courage, conviction, and confidence to immediately accept being a part of the Newsmax debate. I believe this would not only have been the most watched debate, but also the most substantive and interesting debate!

See some of the reaction to the announcement on Twitter:

Comments

[elizabeth gerteiny]

06:52 PM on 12/19/2011

Donald Trump announced that he would moderate a Republican debate in December, that many had asked him to do it, that it would get the highest ratings of all the debates.

As most candidates declined the invitation---only Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum accepted---Mr. Trump announed that he didn't want to "waste Donald Trump's time," because he might still run for president (although he actually lacks sufficient funds). He'd simply host a chat with Newt about issues. "Newt and I will talk about what has to be done," he told Bill O'Reilly on Fox News, evading mention of Rick Santorum and asking him "a few questions." This, too, would receive highest ratings.

Nothing is lost! Donald Trump will still be in charge.

As usual, Donald Trump was late
Announcing he would moderate
Another GOP debate
With every top-notch candidate;

But when the bulk of them declined,
He said he didn't really mind
Because it would have been a crime
To waste the Donald's precious time

Since he might run for president,
A thing that would be time well spent;
Meanwhile, he'd hold a chat instead;
Like that, he'd still be way ahead---

He'd be the man who's in control
And wasn't that his real goal?

Elizabeth Gerteiny
Author of The President of War
www.bushandcompany.org

[Jorge Georges]

03:46 AM on 12/17/2011

Donald say the USA is Rip off by China, OPEC, South Korea, Mexico, every single country…

The above is not true, that countries rip off the USA because our politics due big mistakes, the last one cost to USA more than one billion dollars plus 4500 American life’s in the more stupid war commanded for worst an ugliest republican president this grate nation have.

[knotsonorml]

12:00 AM on 12/16/2011

In other words, since the other clowns opted out, Trump decided to cut his losses and bug out, too. Seriously, Republicans.....is THIS the best you can offer the country?? So Sad.

[GirlInNYC]

10:00 PM on 12/15/2011

Should have "pulled out" before reproducing himself.

[Montezuma336]

09:41 PM on 12/15/2011

Jimmy crack corn and I DON'T CARE !!!

[TaurusRose]

05:46 PM on 12/15/2011

Whata freakin' i.d.i.o.t.
Can't say enough bad things about the guy.

[Jeffreygeez]

05:07 PM on 12/15/2011

This man makes America- seem less

[vidian6]

04:10 PM on 12/15/2011

I remeber when he and Rose O'Donnell were fueding and everyone was saying that she was the problem and I was saying that it was him. I want an apology from all of those who made that claim. I told you that he was and idiot.

[anthony enlow]

03:33 PM on 12/15/2011

His father should have "pulled out"

[vidian6]

04:10 PM on 12/15/2011

That was a good one.

[MiamiMama]

02:36 PM on 12/15/2011

He just remembered he had a haircut appointment.

[CePe]

01:37 PM on 12/15/2011

Once all but two of the R candidates bailed, was there ever any doubt that Trump would bail, too? You have to give the guy props for sheer, unabashed self-promotion. He truly is a legend in his own mind! LOL!

[aHazMatHoney]

01:00 AM on 12/16/2011

Damn! I wanted to say that!:-)

[winniecm]

09:02 AM on 12/16/2011

Next time you can have it! ;-)

[wwelbes]

01:18 PM on 12/15/2011

I heard that donald has also turned down an appointment to be emperor of the universe because his didnt want his royal duties to interfere with his potential, possible, imminent, on the cusp presidential run for the republican or independent, but possibly libertarian nomination.

[winniecm]

01:52 PM on 12/15/2011

He accepted Emperor of Miss Universe instead. hahahahaha

[wwelbes]

01:13 PM on 12/15/2011

Pulling out? What was there to pull out from? Trump was gonna ask a question and Perry as the only candidate was gonna answer. When will this over hyped egomaniac second rater reality TV guy realize he is a buffoon who was lucky enough to inherit money and have good bankruptcy attornies.

[JavaManiac]

01:01 PM on 12/15/2011

Only the "right" could be gullible enough to believe all this *&^( that Trump is shoveling.

[Galo G Teran]

03:37 PM on 12/15/2011

That was funny!!! Serious that was funny. Gullible, as in believing anything that's being said ..etc. Just reminds me of all the obamabots out there -that's a laught. Can you imagine, some still believe what that failed president has to say? Not only that but the guy is running for pres saying the same things, blaming the same people, killing jobs left and right, makng his buddies rich by sending your tax dollars to their failing companies. I hope you pass this along your 1249 fans -that's a laught too.

[noygdb]

01:15 PM on 12/19/2011

galo, seems to me that your the one that's failed. you have the b@lls to say obama is a failed president?? gee what does that make georgie porgie a colossal failure? here's an idea...stand in front of an avalanche and make it stop!! i mean if you can't stop the avalanche your a failure!! because that's what obama is trying to do...stop the avalanche of mad policy and decisions by that "thing" that was in the white house the previouse 8 years