Republican Presidential Debate Canceled

Washington — The highly anticipated Republican presidential debate scheduled for Thursday, just days before the New Hampshire primary, has been called off due to the unwillingness of the candidates to participate.

A spokesperson from ABC News stated, "Our initial plan was to host a debate following the Iowa caucuses, but we were always aware that it would depend on the candidates and the outcome of the race. Consequently, while our comprehensive election coverage will continue, ABC News and WMUR-TV have decided not to proceed with the Republican presidential primary debate in New Hampshire on Thursday."

According to CBS News' projections, former President Donald Trump emerged as the winner of the Iowa caucuses on Monday, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis securing second place, and Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, coming in third.

Haley, who believes her performance in Iowa positions the primary campaign as a "two-person race" between herself and Trump, announced on Tuesday that she would only participate in the debate if Trump were also present. As a result, DeSantis remains the sole candidate who had confirmed his attendance at the event.

"I have engaged in five debates," stated Haley in an interview with CBS News political correspondent Caitlin Huey-Burns. "He has not participated in any. I want him to be on that stage. I welcome his decision to do so. We will be present. However, until that happens, I will not bother."

Trump has chosen to avoid debating his fellow Republican candidates in any of the five primary debates, citing his significant lead in the polls.

DeSantis and Haley were the sole participants in the debate held by CNN in Des Moines, Iowa last week, leading up to the state's caucuses.