Donald Trump plans to skip the first of two Republican primary presidential debates because it’s being moderated by Bret Baier of Fox News, The New York Times reported Tuesday.
The notion that the former president would shy away from TV coverage by the conservative news outlet he has watched for hours daily was once unthinkable. But perceived cracks in his favorite channel’s allegiance have apparently changed his outlook.
Baier is scheduled to moderate the first debate in Milwaukee in August.
In a Times report backed by five unnamed sources who have “discussed the matter” with Trump, he reportedly raised his objection as one of the reasons to ditch the first televised encounter.
“‘Why would I have Bret Baier’ question me, Mr. Trump told an associate,” the newspaper wrote.