A Republican National Committee conference call to discuss plans for the Oct. 28 GOP debate with top advisers to the presidential campaigns spiraled into chaos on Thursday afternoon, as Donald Trump threatened to pull out of the debate if his demands for the format are not met.
Politico says the Trump campaign's specific complaints: CNBC is not allowing opening and closing statements from the candidates, and won't guarantee a two-hour time limit.
Team Trump wasn't alone in its unhappiness, Politico reports. Representatives from many of the other candidates' teams chimed in with all manner of displeasure.
Jason Miller, a top strategist for Ted Cruz, said his campaign would consider bailing if there weren’t openings and closings.
Then, Chris LaCivita, an aide to Rand Paul, chimed in: “If we don’t have opening and closing statements, CNBC can go ---- themselves.”
CNBC spokesman Brian Steel told Politico he was open to adjusting the format of the debates. Read more:
Meanwhile, Trump himself took to Twitter to complain about the situation:
The @GOP should not agree to the ridiculous debate terms that @CNBC is asking unless there is a major benefit to the party.
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