Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump threatened Monday that he may not attend CNN’s next debate unless the network forks over $5 million, which the real estate mogul said would go to charity.
Trump pulled the stunt once before, demanding that CNN donate the proceeds from its September Republican presidential debate to a charity. The network didn’t publicly comment on the request and Trump ultimately participated in the debate.
Trump again floated the idea of the network donating money to charity in exchange for his participation during a campaign rally in Georgia.
“How about I tell CNN that I’m not gonna do the next debate?” Trump said to his audience, as quoted by USA Today. “I won’t do the debate unless they pay me $5 million, all of which money goes to the Wounded Warriors or to vets.”
CNN’s next Republican presidential debate is scheduled for Dec. 15 in Las Vegas. A spokeswoman for CNN declined to comment to TPM.
This post has been updated.
I love this idea.
Extortion, GOP public policy #1.
Shakedown !!! Grifting and gifting…an old fashioned Republican Christmas.
It’s for charity! Trump should shakedown all the network scum. When CNN turns the debate into entertainment, isn’t it fair they pay the entertainers?
Can’t wait until Donnie flops on the floor kickin’ and screamin’ ! and turnin’ blue…
I read ‘somewhere’ that the RNC is paying CNN $10M to just say ‘NO’.