Donald Trump has done more for the Thursday night FOX News Republican debate — in terms of drawing attention to and creating a buzz for it by choosing not to participate — than the cable network would have ever been able to do on its own.
Trump, citing everything from Megyn Kelly’s presence as the moderator to a jokey release put out by FOX News, has refused to take part in the event — instead holding a fundraiser, at 9 p.m. Eastern, to benefit veterans. Thursday afternoon, debate undercard participants Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum announced they would join Trump at the event.