BREAKING: RNC Pulls Out Of Future GOP Debates - 'Total MAGA Victory'

On Friday, the Republican National Committee (RNC) announced that it would no longer be participating in any further GOP debates after both CNN and ABC decided that it would be hosting their own debates prior to the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. The decision was reached by a 16-member internal committee, and thus, the networks will have to host the debates independently of the RNC.

"We have held four successful debates across the country with the most conservative partners in the history of a Republican primary. We have no RNC debates scheduled in January, and any debates currently scheduled are not affiliated with the RNC," the RNC's Committee on Presidential Debates said in a statement, per POLITICO. "It is now time for Republican primary voters to decide who will be our next President, and candidates are free to use any forum or format to communicate to voters as they see fit."

Despite the RNC's refusal to sponsor more debates, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has already expressed his interest in participating in both networks' debates. "Look forward to debating in the Granite State next month!" DeSantis said in response to the announcement of ABC's debate. "Looking forward to debating in Iowa!" Florida's governor posted about CNN's Iowa debate.

While millions have tuned in to the Republican debates, there are many who are wondering why they are even taking place when the frontrunner, Donald Trump, is so far ahead of the field. Republican voters' interest in the competing candidates also seems to be waning. According to AdImpact Politics, the first debate on August 23 is estimated to have received 14.2 million viewers, the second debate on September 27 is estimated to have received 9.9 million viewers, the third debate on November 8 likely got 9.1 million viewers, and the recent fourth debate on December 6 likely only got 3.2 million. 

President Trump has refused to participate in the debates, given his tremendous lead in the polls. Recent national polling has Trump at 59.3 percent support amongst the Republican electorate nationally, while Gov. DeSantis has 12.6 percent, and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley has 11.6 percent. Trump has repeatedly mocked his competitors for participating in the debates, which have been dubbed the "race for second place." Trump recently took to Truth Social to slam former Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) and to double down on the strength of his candidacy despite not being at the debates. "Sloppy Chris Christie is not fit to run for President. He is suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome," Trump wrote. "According to all, he came in LAST in the debate, and I came in FIRST, as I have in all of the debates, without even being there. MAGA!"

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