Upon receiving criticism from some anti-Trump conservatives on social media, Fox News recently announced it would host separate town hall events for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
Fox News was met with fiery criticism by some, who accused the network of providing Trump with an “excuse” not to attend the forthcoming debate in Iowa by scheduling a town hall with the former president on the same day of the debate, scheduled for Jan. 10, 2024.
Following such criticism, the network revealed it would host two town hall events for the former president’s top two rivals, Haley and DeSantis. Both forums will take place on Jan. 8, 2024, and Jan. 9, 2024, respectively, focusing on women’s issues.
Fox News hosts Martha MacCallum and Bret Baier will host the town hall with the former president that will begin at 9 p.m. Haley and DeSantis will be debating each other at Drake University in Iowa at the same time.
The fifth GOP presidential primary debate in Iowa will be hosted by CNN, moderated by hosts Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.
Baier pointed out that Trump “will not have the questions in advance or any knowledge of the questions from me, Martha or from citizens in the crowd — who will be a mix of Iowa voters.”
“I approached the Trump campaign about doing a town hall in Iowa. They had turned down the debate (and all debates) and wanted to do it then,” Baier added on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The former President will not have the questions in advance or
any knowledge of the questions from me, Martha or from citizens in the crowd – who will be a mix of Iowa voters. And I can confirm that I approached the Trump campaign about doing a town hall in Iowa. They had turned… https://t.co/36Hwm9NtZe— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) January 2, 2024
The three scheduled town halls come days just before the Iowa caucuses will begin on Jan. 15, 2024, and weeks before New Hampshire will hold its primary contest on Jan. 23, 2024.
Fox News previously indicated that its town hall with Trump “will focus on the leading issues facing voters ahead of the Iowa Caucus.”
DeSantis criticized Fox News for hosting a town hall with the former president on the same day as the Iowa GOP debate.
WATCH: Ron DeSantis disses Donald Trump and Fox News for hosting a town hall on the same night as the Iowa GOP debate
“This is about the people, it’s not about you […] He gets a lot of air cover from cable networks, including this one.” pic.twitter.com/o8Kd6A0MmT
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) January 3, 2024
“This is about the people, it’s not about you […] He gets a lot of air cover from cable networks, including this one,” the Florida governor said during an interview with Fox News.
