Fox News denied Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump’s claim that the network had lost advertisers for its GOP debate as a result of him refusing to participate in the Thursday night event.
Fox said in a statement on Thursday that the debate was “sold out,” according to a statement first reported by CNN.
Trump tweeted Wednesday evening that the network’s ad rates were “falling like a rock.” He vowed to not participate in the debate after Fox released a scathing statement in response to his concerns about moderator Megyn Kelly not treating him fairly.
FOX debate advertising rates falling like a rock! Tune into my special event for the Veterans at 9pm EST!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2016
But Fox shot down Trump’s claim in a statement.
“The debate is completely sold out,” according to a network spokesperson. “No rates have changed and there are no advertisers who have backed out. Prices don’t change once the orders have been placed.”
I don’t understand this concept of a media behemoth directly challenging a Trump statement. It’s too unfamiliar and unsettling.
I find it both astonishing and pathetic that some (thankfully few) commenters here support the idea that, by virtue of throwing a childish tantrum and doubling-down with misogynistic attacks, Trump has earned the right to prescribe the parameters of the debate, and that by refusing to kow-tow to this belligerent boob, Fox News is somehow acting irresponsibly.
I call bullshit. Fox probably has a contract for the advertisers that states once you’re in, you don’t get your money back if you pull out. So as long as they have to pay for it anyway, they’ll let the commercials run. And the advertisers probably willingly and gladly signed it, since they were also riding the Trump wave among the Teabaggers and other Republican reprobates (hey, there’s a good new team name for the Washington Redskins!).
I also call shenanigans, Officer Barbrady!
I don’t support either side. I’m just glad I have a chance to watch two mentally defective primates flinging poo at each other, while the Dems sit idly by, not saying a word, smiling happily while we collectively eat our popcorn and smoke a big fatty in celebration.
I agree.
One other thing: There are enough people in the GOP camp with money to pony up whatever ad rates Ailes would be charging–in fact, pay double…they are so disgusted with Trump.
If someone like Trump pulls this off, nothing good will come of this. And I hate FOX “news”. The point being, however, that to do this subverts more than one debate.