Trump’s rivals fail to capitalise on front-runner’s debate boycott

DONALD TRUMP took a huge political gamble in boycotting a key televised debate but it appeared to have paid off as no clear rival emerged to challenge him in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

Mr Trump voluntarily ceded the spotlight to his rivals as he ignored the high-profile event in Des Moines, Iowa four days before the state becomes the first in the US to vote.

The billionaire hastily organised a rally for military veterans which was held at the same time as the debate, three miles away. It raised nearly $6 million (£4.2 million), of which Mr Trump contributed $1 million himself.

His boycott followed an earlier feud with Fox News, the television network hosting the debate, and its star presenter and moderator Megyn Kelly.

The feud dated back to a debate in August when Mr Trump objected to being asked by Ms Kelly why he had called women “fat pigs, slobs, and disgusting animals”. At the Iowa event Ms Kelly referred to Mr Trump as the “the elephant not in the room”. Off camera she called him “Voldemort, he who must not be named”.

Mr Trump’s rivals took the opportunity to taunt him in his absence.

Ted Cruz, the Texas senator who is closest to Mr Trump in the polls, said: “Everyone on this stage is stupid, fat and ugly – now we’ve got the Donald Trump portion out of the way.”

Mr Cruz told Ms Kelly: “If you ask me one more mean question I may have to leave the stage.”

Without Mr Trump’s histrionics the debate centred on policy, including counter-terrorism and foreign affairs, but Mr Cruz was attacked by the six other candidates. Marco Rubio, the Florida senator, said: “The truth is, Ted, throughout this campaign you’ve been willing to do or say anything to get votes.” Republican politicians described it as a “circular firing squad” in which potential rivals to Mr Trump may have destroyed each other.

The Des Moines Register newspaper, which is highly influential in the Iowa race, called it a “Rough Night for Cruz”.

At Mr Trump’s rally, thousands of people queued in sub-zero temperatures to get one of 700 spots inside an auditorium at Drake University.

Mr Trump predicted the debate would be a “total disaster” and suffer low television ratings without him.

He said: “When you’re treated badly you have to stick up for your rights whether we like it or not. I’m not going to do the debate out of respect for myself. But I love Iowa. I’m here.

“For me personally is this a good thing? A bad thing? Will I get more votes? Who the hell knows but this is for the vets.”