Donald Trump threatened CNN on Monday by promising to withdraw from the next Republican presidential debate on Dec. 15 unless the network pays him $5 million.
In front of a Georgia crowd, the real estate mogul said, “How about I tell CNN, who doesn’t treat me properly … I’m not gonna do the next debate, okay?”
He then got more serious:”I won’t do the debate unless they pay me $5 million, all of which goes to Wounded Warriors or goes to vets.”
Trump’s demand ginned up the crowd; he went on to rip the network for what he perceives to be unfair coverage that takes him out of context.
After making the $5 million demand, Trump predicted CNN would paint him as a “chicken” who just doesn’t want to debate.
“The problem is they’ll say ‘Trump is chicken,’” he said. “One thing I’m not is chicken, okay?”
It’s unlikely Trump will follow through on his threat to bow out of the debate considering his status atop the GOP primary field and ramifications he’d endure with CNN.
CNN declined TheWrap’s request for comment.