Trump: Pay up or I’ll drop this debate

Imagine a Republican debate without Donald Trump.

You may have to. In the former reality star’s latest stunt, he’s threatening to sit out CNN’s next debate unless the network meets a very lofty request.

Trump wants to be paid $5 million to participate in the Dec. 15 debate.

On Monday at a campaign rally in Macon, Georgia, Trump challenged CNN to pay up or suffer the consequences – his absence, at a time when his presence has boosted the Republican debates to record TV ratings.

Trump’s pledged to donate the money to Wounded Warriors, a group that supports U.S. veterans.

It’s not the first time Trump has tried to leverage his popularity for a donation. Earlier this year he challenged Jeff Zucker, the head of CNN, to give any money the network made from advertising in its first debate in September to charity, a challenge that was not accepted.

Will Trump actually sit out if his demand is not met?

Who knows. It seems unlikely CNN will cough up the money, but it seems equally unlikely the Trump campaign would allow the candidate to skip a debate with primaries starting early next year and Trump and Ben Carson leading in the polls.

Tags: cable, cable news, cnn, debates, donald trump, republicans, trump