Trump Takes Risk Skipping Debate Challenging Murdoch
DES MOINES, Iowa — On January 28, 2016, Donald Trump made a bold call that shook up the Republican primary race: he skipped a key debate and took aim at media mogul Rupert Murdoch. As the front-runner in the polls, Trump decided to sit out the Fox News-hosted event in Iowa, citing his ongoing feud with network host Megyn Kelly. It was a gamble that left everyone wondering if he’d pay a price with voters just days before the caucuses.
Trump’s decision wasn’t just about one debate; it was a direct challenge to Fox News and its owner, Murdoch. The real estate tycoon had been fuming for months over what he saw as biased coverage, especially from Kelly, who had grilled him hard during an earlier face-off. By pulling out, Trump blasted Fox on social media and in statements, calling the network unfair and suggesting they were out to get him. He even floated the idea of holding a rival event, drawing thousands to a rally instead. It was classic Trump: turning a snub into a spectacle that kept him in the headlines.
The move carried real risks. Debates were a big deal back then, giving candidates a chance to shine or stumble in front of millions. By skipping this one, Trump handed an opening to rivals like Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, who used the stage to take shots at him. Some pundits worried it might alienate moderate voters or make him look thin-skinned, but Trump’s base ate it up, seeing it as him standing up to the establishment. In a campaign full of surprises, this stunt reinforced his image as an outsider willing to flip the script.
As the Iowa caucuses loomed, reactions poured in from all sides. Murdoch’s Fox News fired back with mockery, while other networks scrambled to cover the drama. Trump ended up doing just fine in Iowa, but the episode highlighted how he was rewriting the rules of politics. It was a reminder that in 2016, a single tweet or bold move could shift the momentum faster than any policy speech. Whether it was smart or reckless, one thing was clear: Trump wasn’t playing by anyone else’s book.
