Trump campaign fumes over report it pushed RNC to change debate venue

Former President Donald Trump's campaign is disputing a news report stating it pushed the Republican National Committee to make changes to its plans for the third debate and suggesting Trump might participate should the organization do so.

The Messenger on Thursday published a report with the headline "Trump Pushing RNC to Change Third GOP Debate Venue (Exclusive)" that cited anonymous Republicans claiming that Trump's team pushed for the third debate to be held in Miami instead of Alabama. It included a statement from the campaign calling the suggestion "fake news."

The Trump campaign, however, reacted furiously to the story's publication, issuing a statement questioning the outlet's decision to publish the article at all.

"Sadly, Tom LoBianco, from The Messenger, is clearly out of the loop, not just for the 2024 campaign, but for basic journalism ethics. We told this 'reporter,' (more accurately a blogger), on the record, that the rumor we were participating in discussions to move the 3rd RNC debate was 'fake news' and LoBianco still ran this story," the campaign stated. "Who is the editor here? How do they run this trash when there’s an on the record denial, and nobody on the record claiming otherwise? This is embarrassing for this reporter and editor."

Trump did not attend the first Republican primary debate and does not plan to attend the second. He has previously pointed to his polling lead as a justification for skipping out on the events. Trump has a 43.1% lead in the RealClearPolitics polling average.

The next debate is scheduled for Sept. 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.

Several news outlet reported late Thursday and early Friday about a planned third debate in Miami.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.