If Fox asked Facebook to tabulate the number of viewers at tonight's GOP republican debate in Des Moines, Iowa, the answer would probably be over 1 billion. The reality is that most potential viewers will likely be hijacked to tonight's "alternative" event, the one taking place just a few miles away at Drake University where Donald Trump - why is boycotting the Fox News debate - will address Wounded Warriors & Veterans but what he will really do is school the rest of the republican field how to control the media narrative and to remain constantly in the spotlight especially when he is nowhere near it.
As WSJ writes, Donald Trump‘s attempt to steal some of the limelight from the Fox News debate drew thousands to the campus of Drake University, a few miles away from where the official debate is being held. The line included hundreds of Drake students, many of whom said they were just curious to see Mr. Trump up close, but also some students who plan to caucus for the Republican front-runner on Monday night. However, many of the young people outside won’t get the chance to see him because the building only holds 700 or so people, leaving many standing outside in the cold.
Meanwhile, as Trump does his event, seven candidates are set to debate, starting at 9 p.m. ET. Here is what the lineup looks like (including Trump).
Few will watch this particular event.
Live webcast below from the event spearheaded by the republican who is now leaps and bounds ahead of the competition in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.