Post debate Trump explains bombshell answer that got him booed

donald-trumpRepublican presidential front-runner Donald Trump shocked viewers Thursday night when he refused to rule out a third-party run, but in a post-debate interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, he said he did so only for “leverage” with the Republican establishment.

Right out of the gate, Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked the 10 top-tier presidential candidate if they would pledge to support the eventual GOP nominee and not run as a third-party candidate.

“Raise your hand now if you won’t make that pledge tonight,” Baier said.

Trump was the lone candidate to raise a hand. Much of the audience reacted in boos.

“I can’t say I have to respect the person — if it’s not me — the person who wins,” Trump said.

Here’s the exchange:

Trump explained his reasoning further after the debate on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity.”

“I’ll make the pledge if I win,” he told the host. “Why should I give up that leverage if they don’t treat me well? You’re talking about the establishment Republicans.”

He added, “I may at some point do it. I’m starting to really like the establishment people.”

Watch the interview.

Right after Trump refused to pledge not to run as a third-party candidate, fellow GOP presidential candidate Sen. Rand Paul challenged him. Fox News host Greg Gutfeld tweeted:

Breitbart News writer John Hayward also noted Paul’s challenge, as well as the boos:

Whether Trump’s explanation to Hannity was enough to quell the booers remains to be seen.

DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW

Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!

Success! Thank you for donating. Please share BPR content to help combat the lies.

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

PLEASE JOIN OUR NEW COMMENT SYSTEM! We love hearing from our readers and invite you to join us for feedback and great conversation. If you've commented with us before, we'll need you to re-input your email address for this. The public will not see it and we do not share it.

Latest Articles