Trump boycotted debate because the host was 'biased'

Presidential candidate contender Donald Trump did not participate in the last TV debate before the vote on party nomination due to the host, reports the Patria news agency.

Trump sparked strong reactions when he announced two days ago that he would boycott last night's debate due to a dispute with the Fox News channel and because the host was biased, making the presidential race uncertain just days before the first vote in Iowa on February 1.

Seven debate participants tried to take advantage of Trump's absence to draw attention to themselves, and his main rival within the Republican Party, Ted Cruz, even used his linguistic style, joking at his own expense and that of his rivals, reports AFP. 

"I am a maniac and everyone on this stage is stupid, fat, and ugly. And you, Ben, are a terrible surgeon," Cruz said, addressing retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson. 

On the other hand, Trump, at the time of the debate, which he assessed would be a "total disaster" without him, organized an event for military veterans just a few kilometers away. 

"I said I would not participate in the debate out of self-respect. But I love Iowa, and that's why I'm here," Trump emphasized at the rally. 

Just before the debate began, Trump told CNN that Fox had called him to apologize and that he had considered showing up at the studio at the last moment, but that his commitment to veterans prevailed. 

Fox News host Megyn Kelly was the moderator of the campaign in August last year in which Trump participated, and she asked him tough questions, after which he said she treated him that way "because she was menstruating." 

Trump is leading among Republicans vying to run for US president, confirmed by a recent CNN poll, according to which Trump enjoys the support of 41 percent of voters, while 19 percent favor Cruz, and more than two-thirds of Republicans are convinced that Trump will be chosen as the candidate.