The Republican National Committee announced on Monday that it had officially ended its partnership with NBC News for a February Republican presidential debate after suspending its relationship with the network in October.
“The Republican National Committee has decided to move forward without NBC’s participation in the February debate in Houston, Texas. The RNC has awarded the debate to CNN, who will broadcast it on Thursday, February 25 in Houston at a location to be decided,” RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement. “The RNC is ensuring the partnership with Telemundo and conservative partners National Review and Salem Communications will continue as planned.”
The debate was initially scheduled for Friday, Feb. 26.
The RNC suspended its debate partnership with NBC News in October after Republican party officials were unhappy with the moderators’ performance during a Republican presidential debate hosted by CNBC.
“We were betrayed, and I think the candidates were betrayed by CNBC,” Priebus said in October while explaining his decision to suspend NBC’s partnership. “And we need to look out for the candidates in these future debates.”
