"Trump Opts for Fox Town Hall Over GOP Debate Ahead of Iowa Caucuses"
Former President Donald Trump is set to skip the upcoming Republican presidential primary debate in Iowa, opting instead to host a live town hall on Fox News. This marks the fifth debate Trump has avoided, despite leading in early state polls. The CNN-hosted debate at Drake University will go on without him, with only a few candidates meeting the qualifications to participate. Trump's absence has been criticized by fellow candidates, while another candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, plans to hold a competing event the same night. CNN is also scheduled to host another debate in New Hampshire, which, like the Iowa debate, is not sanctioned by the Republican National Committee.