NEW YORK, NY – Claims have surfaced that former President Donald Trump deliberately skipped the Wednesday night Republican primary debate to avoid confronting fellow candidate Chris Christie. However, evidence suggests the claim is false.
Chris Christie, on the debate stage, asserted that Trump’s absence was due to fear rather than the former President’s large lead in the polls. “I want to look at a camera right now and tell you, Donald, I know you’re watching. You can’t help yourself. I know you’re watching. Okay. And you’re not here tonight, not because of polls, and not because of your indictments. You’re not here because you’re afraid to debate me,” Christie claimed.
This narrative contradicts Trump’s own stated reason for skipping the debate. In a June interview with Fox News, Trump clarified his decision to forgo the event. He stated that his absence was due to his substantial lead in the polls, not a reluctance to face any particular opponent. “Why would I allow people at one or two percent and zero percent to be hitting me with questions all night?” Trump remarked.
Thus, according to available information, the claim that Donald Trump did not attend the debate due to a fear of debating Chris Christie is false. Trump’s rationale, as articulated in previous statements, centers on his large lead in voter surveys.