Trumpwon’t back down on skipping Fox News debate

des moines, iowa » An explosive feud between Donald Trump and Fox News Channel is overshadowing the final sprint to Iowa’s presidential caucuses, injecting a new sense of chaos into the 2016Republican contest.

On the eve of the final debate before Iowa voters weigh in, Trump refused to back off his decision to boycottThursday’s prime- time faceoff. His campaign insisted that debate host Fox News crossed a line with a sarcastic statement mocking him and continued to criticize moderator Megyn Kelly. In turn, Fox accused Trump’s camp of trying to terrorize its employees.

“They think they can toy with Mr. Trump,” campaign manager Corey Lewandowski saidWednesday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” ‘’ Mr. Trump doesn’t play games.”

As the public clash intensified, Trump’s Republican competitors hunkered down for a day of private debate preparations filled with uncertainty. Skeptical that he would follow through on his boycott, the other campaigns held practice sessions with and without someone playing Trump.

Some thought the absence ofTrump could make another leading Iowa contender, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a prime target for campaigns eager to spark a last- minute shakeup. Cruz challenged Trump to a separate one- on- one debate, a proposal that was dismissed by his opponent.

“Even though I beat him in the first six debates, especially the last one, Ted Cruz wants to debate me again. Canwe do it inCanada?” Trump tweeted, referencing Cruz’s birthplace.

Some foes saw the shakeup as an opening to rise above the ruckus.

Instead of debating Thursday night, Trump will host what his campaign is calling a “special event to benefit veterans’ organizations.” The campaign on Wednesday evening announced details for the event, scheduled to begin at the sametime as the debate.