Donald Trump is saying that the GOP debate will be 'a total disaster' without him.
Donald Trump is standing his ground and will not appear at Thursday night’s Fox News GOP debate in Iowa.
Read: Trump Boycotting Debate, Calls Megyn Kelly a 'Lightweight Reporter'
Trump is refusing to take part in the debate because of his ongoing feud with moderator Megyn Kelly.
He took to Twitter on Thursday and chastised the debate, Kelly and Fox News in a series of tweets and retweets from followers.
The "debate" tonight will be a total disaster - low ratings with advertisers and advertising rates dropping like a rock. I hate to see this.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2016
After Trump posted this tweet, a Fox News spokesperson said the claim made in the tweet was factually inaccurate.
"The debate is completely sold out," the spokesperson said. "No rates have changed and there are no advertisers who have backed out. Prices don't change once the orders have been placed."
In other tweets, Trump continued:
"@BradCross4: @Drudge_Report_ @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/Ur1qgG291Z"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2016
"@gene70: @FireFlyFury @megynkelly @realDonaldTrump And this is the bimbo that's asking presidential questions? pic.twitter.com/oU1uUGnuWb"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2016
On Greta, 87% of the people said they would not watch the debate if I'm not in it. Wow- what an honor!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2016
Instead of going to the debate, the GOP frontrunner is hosting a special event for our nation’s veterans at Drake University in Des Moines.
FOX debate advertising rates falling like a rock! Tune into my special event for the Veterans at 9pm EST!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2016
Wow, two candidates called last night and said they want to go to my event tonight at Drake University.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2016
On Wednesday, Bill O'Reilly tried to convince Trump to show up for the Republican debate. The friends of 35 years went toe to toe.
“I don't think not showing up at the debate tomorrow night is good for America,” O’Reilly said to Trump on his show.
“You have 60 seconds right off the top to tell any of the moderators, 'You're a pinhead, your question is unfair, here's why and here's what I want to say'. By walking away from it you lose an opportunity to persuade people that you are a strong leader. I'm trying to convince you that your tact is wrong because it's better for the folks to see you in a debate format.”
Trump hit back: “We're having a great event tomorrow night and we’re going to raise a lot of money for veterans and that's a good thing.”
O'Reilly told Trump he's making a big mistake.
“Number one, Kelly’s question was within journalistic bounds,” The O’Reilly Factor host said.
“I disagree,” Trump replied.
“That's good! That's good! You made your case. You won the debate. That's what America’s about. Robust debate. Don't walk away from it,” O’Reilly said.
Trump responded: “Let's talk about something more important, Bill. This is not that important.”
At one point the host tried to extend an olive branch in the form of a milkshake to Trump.
“I bought you so many vanilla milkshakes, you owe me. I want you to consider, think about it, and say, I might come back. Forgive, go forward, answer the questions, and look out for the folks,” O’Reilly said. “Just want you to consider it. You owe me milkshakes. I'll take them off the ledger if you'll consider it.”
Read: Whatever Happened to Trump's Second Wife, Marla Maples?
“Even though you and I had an agreement, which we did, I will therefore forget that you asked me that. But it's up to Fox because I told you don't ask me that question,” Trump said.
On Wednesday night’s Daily Show, host Trevor Noah took the billionaire to task, calling him a “petulant child” for not wanting to attend the debate.
However, Noah did call Trump a “genius” for his ability to turn the tables and make the headlines about him rather than the debate.
Watch: Eric Trump: Since Birth My Dad Has Been Grooming Us to Run His Company
