Negotiations are underway to bring Fox News viewers a debate, or at the very least a town hall event, featuring Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump prior the June 7 California primary, network anchor Bret Baier told WMAL radio’s “Mornings on the Mall” program on Friday morning.
The “Special Report” host went on to predict the final outcome would more likely be a town hall event than an actual debate.
“We’ve been talking for the past couple of days with the Sanders campaign and the Trump campaign about a possible debate,” Baier said. “Those things are progressing, believe it or not.”
“Some event will happen before the primary, we’re kind of working out the details,” Mr. Baier added.
Asked by WMAL’s Larry O’Connor to elaborate, Mr. Baier answered, “There’s either going to be this full-blown debate, which we’re trying to get across the finish line, uh, or there may be a town hall, but I think the debate is still very much a possibility.”
Asked by WMAL’s Brian Wilson about Mr. Trump’s stipulation that a charity benefit from the event, Mr. Baier answered, “We’re working that out. It wouldn’t be from the network, but it’s, there are multiple conversations going on.”
“I want you to put a percentage on it,” Mr. Wilson, himself an alum of Fox News, prodded Mr. Baier at the end of the interview. “What do you think the percentage is that you guys at Fox are going to be able to work out something with Sanders and with Donald Trump?”
“Yeah, imagine we’re playing debate roulette,” Mr. O’Connor quipped, referring to a recurring “Candidate Casino” segment on Mr. Baier’s “Special Report” program in which pundits gave their predictions as the presidential primary season unfolded.
“So if I had $100 in chips, I would put 75 that something happens, some event that is on TV happens that includes both of those people” but only “maybe a 25 dollar chip” wagering on a traditional debate set-up, Mr. Baier answered.
• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.
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