Haley tells Trump to ‘show up’ to CNN debate after he announces dueling event

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called on former President Donald Trump to participate in CNN’s Iowa Republican debate next week, less than two hours after it was announced he would be doing a dueling event on Fox News.

“With only three candidates qualifying, it’s time for Donald Trump to show up,” Haley said in a press release. “As the debate stage continues to shrink, it’s getting harder for Donald Trump to hide.”

TRUMP HOLDS FOX NEWS TOWN HALL TO COUNTER CNN IOWA DEBATE WITH DESANTIS AND HALEY

On Tuesday, Trump, Haley, and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) were the only candidates who qualified to take the stage for CNN’s debate. But Trump, who skipped all four Republican National Committee primary debates last year, was unexpected to partake in the pre-caucus event.

Earlier Tuesday morning, Fox News announced it would be hosting a town hall with Trump on Jan. 10, the same day as the CNN debate. The discussion will be moderated by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum and air at 9 p.m., competing directly with the debate.

Haley’s statement on Trump came shortly after the news emerged.

When prompted about Haley’s call, Trump’s campaign pointed the Washington Examiner to the announcement of his Fox News event, signaling the unlikeliness of the former president to change direction.

DeSantis’s campaign also responded to Trump’s decision, taunting him by suggesting adding seats to the debate for his comfort.

“We understand Donald Trump is scared to get on the stage because he’d have to finally explain why he didn’t build the wall, added nearly $8 trillion to the debt, and turned the country over to Fauci,” said DeSantis Communications Director Andrew Romeo. “But even Gavin Newsom had the courage to stand on the stage to debate his own failed record against Ron Desantis.”

“If it would make the debate more inviting, we would gladly agree to make it a seated format where the former president would be more comfortable,” he continued.

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DeSantis confirmed his intention to participate shortly after CNN’s announcement, whereas Haley held off initially. Her campaign emphasized her desire to debate before Iowa, specifically at a forum at which Trump was in attendance. Despite wanting to take on Trump, Haley confirmed for the debate sans the promise of the former president’s presence.

The Florida governor’s campaign had turned the pressure on for Haley, claiming she wasn’t confirming her participation in the CNN event because she had lost the last RNC debate. “After that loss, it is no wonder why Haley has failed to confirm she will join Ron DeSantis on the debate stage in Iowa and New Hampshire next month,” DeSantis press secretary Bryan Griffin said in December.