Donald Trump accused Hillary Clinton of trying to “rig the debates” by scheduling them against football games. Not only do the facts reject this argument, but Trump ignores his own double-standard, as he pulled the plug on several debates with Republican opponents in 2016.
In a tweet, Donald Trump blasted Hillary Clinton for “trying to rig the debates so 2 are up against major NFL games,” he typed. “Same as last time w/ Bernie. Unacceptable!”
Trump went on to say that the NFL sent him a letter complaining about the debate schedule. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy denied that the league had sent such a letter to Trump, further undermining his credibility.
A quick fact-check of Trump’s tweet shows that:
1. Both candidates agreed to the schedule.
2. Football games were not held during the Spring 2016 debates. The February 4 and February 11 debates missed the Super Bowl. For that matter, the March 6 and 9 debates missed the NCAA College Basketball “March Madness” tournament.
3. Baseball playoff games were held during the October 14 debate, while the Saturday night debate occurred during a football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos. But as you can see below, it is nearly impossible to hold a debate when there is no sporting event.
Hillary Clinton is not picking the debate times. Trump also lied about the NFL letter, and is using any excuse to claim a sporting event clashes with a debate. You would have to schedule a debate the day after Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game to have a sports-free day.
Debates served him well in a crowded GOP field, where zingers and insults could make him the center of attention. But as remaining candidates and moderators caught on to his act, they began to seize on his gaffes and factual errors. The insult act is wearing thin after more than a year of it. Getting 50 percent of the attention is good against a dozen opponents, but makes no difference against one opponent. So Trump is less eager to debate anymore, because debates aren’t serving him in 2016 the way they made him a front-runner in 2015.
More: Why Trump Is Afraid Of Debates Now
Trump's circus act won't work in the upcoming debates with Hillary - assuming he doesn't chicken out entirely.
In a tweet, Donald Trump blasted Hillary Clinton for “trying to rig the debates so 2 are up against major NFL games,” he typed. “Same as last time w/ Bernie. Unacceptable!”
Trump went on to say that the NFL sent him a letter complaining about the debate schedule. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy denied that the league had sent such a letter to Trump, further undermining his credibility.
A quick fact-check of Trump’s tweet shows that:
1. Both candidates agreed to the schedule.
2. Football games were not held during the Spring 2016 debates. The February 4 and February 11 debates missed the Super Bowl. For that matter, the March 6 and 9 debates missed the NCAA College Basketball “March Madness” tournament.
3. Baseball playoff games were held during the October 14 debate, while the Saturday night debate occurred during a football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos. But as you can see below, it is nearly impossible to hold a debate when there is no sporting event.
Hillary Clinton is not picking the debate times. Trump also lied about the NFL letter, and is using any excuse to claim a sporting event clashes with a debate. You would have to schedule a debate the day after Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game to have a sports-free day.
Debates served him well in a crowded GOP field, where zingers and insults could make him the center of attention. But as remaining candidates and moderators caught on to his act, they began to seize on his gaffes and factual errors. The insult act is wearing thin after more than a year of it. Getting 50 percent of the attention is good against a dozen opponents, but makes no difference against one opponent. So Trump is less eager to debate anymore, because debates aren’t serving him in 2016 the way they made him a front-runner in 2015.
More: Why Trump Is Afraid Of Debates Now
Trump's circus act won't work in the upcoming debates with Hillary - assuming he doesn't chicken out entirely.
