TRUMP TAKES RISK SKIPPING DEBATE

Donald Trump will draw a ruptured US Republican Party into a prime time TV ratings battle, as the billionaire presidential hopeful shuns a Fox News-sponsored debate to star in his own event at the same time.

His decision to boycott Thursday night's Republican debate in a spat with network anchor Megyn Kelly threatens to pit the large conservative base of the party's front-runner against the most powerful media force in Republican politics - in a fight that may overshadow anything that happens on the debate stage.

"The 'debate' tonight will be a total disaster," Trump quipped in a Twitter post on Thursday morning. "Low ratings with advertisers and advertising rates dropping like a rock. I hate to see this."

Trump will host a fundraiser for veterans at Drake University in Des Moines during the Fox debate, according to an invitation circulated by his campaign. A CNN source said the network would likely air parts of the Trump event live.

The move places Trump, a former reality TV star, more squarely in the spotlight even as he shuns the stage.

But days before Iowa holds the first nominating contest of the November 8 presidential election, it could also cost him votes. Rivals like Ted Cruz have accused the billionaire of being too afraid to face them in the debate, and while some of Trump's fans were supportive of his decision, several undecided voters were unimpressed.

"I was on Trump's doorstep until this whole thing happened. I was disappointed," said Bryan Moon of West Des Moines, Iowa, who was attending an event for Republican Marco Rubio.

"If this is how he's going to act, that 'I'm taking my ball and going home,' then that is just not going to work."

Voter Jill Ruby, another West Des Moines resident at the Rubio event, was equally put out by Trump's decision.

"Are you kidding me, a reporter ticked him off?" she said.

"He's a coward. I think it will come back and bite him. That's not how a president acts, you don't just run away."

Fox News chairman Roger Ailes contacted Trump's daughter, Ivanka, on Wednesday to gauge Trump's seriousness about dropping out of the debate, but did not seek to change his mind, network officials said, according to The New York Times.

While Trump could cost Fox News debate-night ratings, officials at the network said Rupert Murdoch, the executive co-chairman of Fox's parent company, 21st Century Fox, gave Ailes his support over the phone, The New York Times said.

Although Trump leads polls of Iowa Republicans over Cruz, a US Senator from Texas, many voters remain undecided and are looking to the debate to aid their decision-making.

"It gives people a reason to be disappointed in him and take a look at the other candidates," said Republican strategist Charlie Black. "It could hurt him with people who might be undecided."

Campaigning on Wednesday in West Des Moines, Cruz mocked Trump for skipping the debate, calling him a "fragile soul." He renewed his offer to Trump to debate him one-on-one. (news.com.au)