ABC News cancels primary debate after Trump, Haley fail to commit

ABC News and WMUR have cancelled a planned Republican primary debate on Thursday, after both former President Donald Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley did not confirm their attendance by the deadline.

Haley signaled on Tuesday that she would only debate either Trump or President Joe Biden, in an apparent snub of Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, her close rival for second place who narrowly outperformed her in the Iowa Caucus on Monday evening. Trump, for his part, has not attended any primary debates.

"Our intent was to host a debate coming out of the Iowa caucuses, but we always knew that would be contingent on the candidates and the outcome of the race," ABC News announced. "As a result, while our robust election coverage will continue, ABC News and WMUR-TV will not be moving forward with Thursday’s Republican presidential primary debate in New Hampshire."

DeSantis, for his part, had expressed his willingness to participate despite their absence ahead of the cancellation, saying "I won't snub New Hampshire voters like both Nikki Haley and Donald Trump, and plan to honor my commitments. I look forward to debating two empty podiums in the Granite State this week."

The New Hampshire Republican primary is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 23.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.