Vivek Ramaswamy accuses CNN of trying to prop up Nikki Haley by barring him from debate

Vivek Ramaswamy is planning to go the counterprogramming route as a way to deal with likely failing to meet the criteria to participate in a CNN Republican presidential debate next week in Iowa.

Mr. Ramaswamy said CNN is trying to cut him out of the debate to boost former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and, in response, he plans to circumvent the mainstream media by appearing at a livestreamed town hall hosted by podcaster Tim Pool.

“Ratings wasteland CNN has not only guaranteed themselves the most boring presidential ‘debate’ in modern history with two career politicians reciting consultant-vetted talking points, but the network has exposed itself to be actively engaging in egregious interference with the Iowa GOP caucus and disrespecting GOP voters,” the Ramaswamy campaign said in a statement.

CNN announced its Jan. 10 debate last month.

To qualify, the cable news network said candidates must receive at least 10% in three separate national or Iowa polls of Republican caucusgoers or primary voters.

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Ms. Haley, a former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., are expected to participate. Former President Donald Trump, meanwhile, is set to appear at a Fox News town hall that is scheduled for the same time as the CNN debate.

Mr. Ramaswamy is polling at almost 6% both in Iowa, and New Hampshire, according to the Real Clear Politics average of polls that shows he has lingered in the single digits for months.

The Ramaswamy campaign, however, said refusing to invite him would amount to “a desperate bid by CNN to limit the scope of debate in the Republican presidential primary and to prop up the least conservative and most corrupt candidate in the race (Nikki Haley).”

“Unfortunately for all of them, most GOP primary voters would rather watch anything else than to waste time with what will very likely prove to be the lowest rated ‘presidential debate’ in American history,” the campaign said.