The burning question of whether Donald Trump would attend Thursday night’s Fox News/Google debate, moderated in part by Fox News host Megyn Kelly, was settled by his campaign manager, who confirmed that Trump would “definitely not” be participating.
Trump camp manager @CLewandowski_ confirms to WaPo that Trump is “definitely not” participating in Fox New debate. “His word is his bond."
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) January 26, 2016
Kelly, on the other hand, confirmed that she would be at the debate as a moderator, kicking off Tuesday night’s “Kelly File” with a recap of the day’s back-and-forth between Trump and Fox News. She also at one point topped Twitter’s list of trending topics and has hovered there ever since.
And so the debate escalates on Twitter: is Trump afraid to face Kelly, or is she the next Candy Crowley and truly biased against him?
Ailes to @TheFix: "The entire network stands behind" @MegynKelly; "she will absolutely be on the debate stage" https://t.co/Q7urKpuGiz
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) January 26, 2016
Trump: “Megyn Kelly is a lightweight…This isn’t a reporter. This is a lightweight.
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) January 26, 2016
Donald Trump is so afraid of Megyn Kelly that he says he'll boycott the debate, but he will totally take on Putin/China/etc. Clown show.
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) January 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/amandacarpenter/status/692140118019346437
https://twitter.com/EWErickson/status/692142163560394753
The guy who's not afraid of Putin, the Chinese or ISIS remains terrified of Megyn Kelly. Any questions?
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) January 27, 2016
Cruz to Levin, on Trump ducking Fox debate: "If he thinks Megyn Kelly is so scary, what exactly does he think he'd do with Vladimir Putin."
— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) January 27, 2016
Recommended
.@realDonaldTrump is scared of Megyn Kelly but I'm sure he'll stand up to ISIS. #CowardInChief #Trumpelstiltskin
— Danny Zuker (@DannyZuker) January 27, 2016
"He fights!" Unless it's against Megyn Kelly, then he runs away. #MakeAmericaGrateAgain
— SFK (@stephenkruiser) January 27, 2016
IMO, Trump is afraid to face Ted Cruz just before the IA Caucus. Megyn Kelly is a convenience excuse.
— jon gabriel (@exjon) January 27, 2016
Has anyone accused Ted Cruz of hiding behind Megyn Kelly yet? Or called him a Megynecologist?
— ??? ????????? ⏳ (@stranahan) January 27, 2016
"The only thing we have to fear is Megyn Kelly."#PresidentTrump
— Tinfoil Fedora (@crowguye) January 27, 2016
Donald Trump says he'll negotiate with Nancy Pelosi and the "establishment" but won't take questions from Megyn Kelly. Amazing.
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) January 27, 2016
@SupermanHotMale I reallly hate to be in a position to agree w/ Megyn Kelly. But Trump will do that to ya.
— CloreenBaconskin (@CloreenBacNSkin) January 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/rviet82/status/692170692482174976
https://twitter.com/keethers/status/692170635158618117
So Trump says he can make deals w/ Pelosi, Schumer, Reid, Putin etc. but runs from Megyn Kelly. Smh.
— Politics Matter (@Politics_Matter) January 27, 2016
So typical of #Trump not being in the next debate because Megyn Kelly will be a moderator. If he doesn't get his way, he bails. Wussy.
— John B. Right (@Biarritz77) January 27, 2016
Trump throws tantrum and bows out of #GOPDebate because Fox News won't protect him from the scary Megyn Kelly. President material? LMAO. No.
— BookJunkieGirl (@BookJunkie_Girl) January 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/SopanDeb/status/692169806385119232
Meanwhile, Megyn Kelly on her way to being #1 trend on Twitter… #kellyfile ratings not exactly dented.
— Shelby Holliday (@shelbyholliday) January 27, 2016
Megyn Kelly gloating over no-show Trump is the most I've ever enjoyed Fox News.
— Jeff Greco (@jeffgreco) January 27, 2016
Trump has promised to hold his own event which will benefit veterans. A smart move?
Megyn Kelly is as bad as Candy Crowley! Will be donating to #WoundedWarrior Thurs night instead of watching debate https://t.co/MyX7H5V2am
— REV RON P HUSBAND (@fitness58) January 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/Civis_Silas/status/692170737495490560
https://twitter.com/AngelVRose/status/692170694440964097
https://twitter.com/sdrr38/status/692170677491781632
@SandraSmithFox I hope Donald trump keeps his pledge not to take part in the GOP debate moderated by Megyn Kelly. She disrespected him
— larry rea (@larrea07_rea) January 27, 2016
Megyn kelly is NOT. neutral! What do they keep talking and talking about this @megynkelly You are the problem.
— DebbieBarth (@DebbieBarth) January 27, 2016
Disagree. This was SMART. He does not have to participate in the Megyn Kelly Fox News circus. This is no debate. https://t.co/bxTVpMDpBA
— Proud Deplorable Kat (@katlivezey) January 27, 2016
@FoxNews Don't blame him for not showing up. Megyn Kelly is out to get him. Republican establishment is scared sh__less.
— John R. Perchak (@JohnPerchak) January 27, 2016
Megyn Kelly used 1st debate to showcase her rising star. We learned nothing about the candidates at that debate & now she's up again? No thx
— 5th Gen American (@iluvbkk) January 27, 2016
It's funny how Megyn Kelly is currently a "big deal". Guess what? Trump is simply doing moves like this to get all the free media time he +
— Christian Anon (@ChristianAnon) January 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/DeeDee0027/status/692169976820711424
Anyone who doesn't believe that Megyn Kelly and Fox network have an agenda is fooling themselves. RNP wants status quo.. Sayers not doers
— Scuba Steve (@volunteerswin) January 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/Runcie/status/692169769651441666
https://twitter.com/RobRiegle/status/692169543851073536
https://twitter.com/Chris_Cheetham/status/692170196799352832