Former President Donald Trump attacked Fox News and anchor Bret Braier ahead of the GOP presidential primary debate Wednesday.
Trump, who skipped the debate, referred to Baier as a RINO, or a Republican in Name Only, in a Truth Social post.
Trump hits Fox, Baier ahead of debate https://t.co/GgQdZNnVQt pic.twitter.com/s3lo7iaxXy
— The Hill (@thehill) August 24, 2023
"Trump also boasted that he was 'leading Republicans by 50 points.' Recent polling has shown Trump ahead of the rest of the field by at least 40 points," the Hill reported.
“FOX NEWS REFUSES TO POST OR DISCUSS,” Trump wrote.
'DELUSIONAL!!!' Trump attacks Fox News and its hosts ahead of GOP debate https://t.co/HUmxS5EJAz
— Raw Story (@RawStory) August 23, 2023
"BRIT HUME, WORKING WITH RINO BRET BAIER, IS DELUSIONAL!!!” Trump added in all caps in his post.
"Earlier in the day, Trump was teasing an interview with Tucker Carlson that will be released at the beginning of the first GOP debate," Raw Story reported.
Eight Republicans reached the needed qualifications to participate in the debate, in addition to Trump, who chose not to join, citing his lead over other candidates. He chose to release his own interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson instead during the debate in a direct challenge to other candidates he claimed were competing for vice president.
Trump also faces four indictments and over 90 charges in pending trials that present a challenge as he seeks to return to his former role in the White House.
So far, the charges have not hurt his poll numbers, though the first debate has the potential to increase interest in other candidates, such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott or former Vice President Mike Pence.
Trump appears happy to debate on his own, instead attacking traditional networks like Fox News as he continues his own campaign.
