NASHUA, N.H. — GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump said Friday the risk was worth the reward of skipping the Fox News debate to hold a fundraiser — in part because Sen. Ted Cruz, his closest rival, got “pummeled.”
Mr. Trump held a fundraiser for military veterans Thursday night in Des Moines and then flew here to New Hampshire, where voters lined up more than four hours before the event.
“I did something that was very risky and I think it turned out great,” Mr. Trump said, touting the $6 million he raised at the event. “I am on the front page of every paper.”
Mr. Trump said it was a different story for Mr. Cruz, who is running second in polls in Iowa.
“He got pummeled and you know they didn’t even mention that he was born in Canada,” the New York billionaire said, poking Mr. Cruz over question about his eligibility to be president.
“If you are born in Canada you are not supposed to be running for president of the United States. Prime minister of Canada? No problem,” he said.
With Mr. Trump absent, Mr. Cruz took center stage in Thursday’s debate and faced more incoming fire than previous showdowns.
“He got beaten up pretty badly last night,” Mr. Trump said. “I am not sure what is going to happen to his poll numbers, they are probably not going to go up.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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