Donald Trump-Bernie Sanders Debate Not Happening

LOS ANGELES, CA - A possible debate between presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic hopeful Bernie Sanders in California prior to the state's primary election won't be happening, with Trump announcing Friday that such an exercise would be "inappropriate."

The possibility of such a debate made headlines Wednesday during an appearance by Trump on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Trump told Kimmel a debate with Sanders would generate big television ratings, and he suggested money from the encounter could be donated to charity.

Sanders quickly jumped at the idea, posting on his Twitter account, "Game on. I look forward to debating Donald Trump in California before the June 7 primary." He said later the debate should be held in the biggest stadium possible.

The idea emerged shortly after Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton announced she would not debate Sanders prior to the California primary.

Trump, however, formally backed out of a possible Sanders debate Friday.

"Based on the fact that the Democratic nominating process is totally rigged and crooked Hillary Clinton and (Democratic National Committee chair) Deborah Wasserman Schultz will not allow Bernie Sanders to win, and now that I am the presumptive Republican nominee, it seems inappropriate that I would debate the second-place finisher," Trump said. "Likewise, the networks want to make a killing on these events and are not proving to be too generous to donate to charitable causes, in this case, women's health issues.

"Therefore, as much as I want to debate Bernie Sanders -- and it would be an easy payday -- I will wait to debate the first-place finisher in the Democratic Party, probably crooked Hillary Clinton, or whoever it may be."

There was no immediate response from Sanders, who appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Thursday and again said he was ready to debate Trump. He said his campaign had been contacted by television networks, including ABC, interested in sponsoring the debate.

—City News Service, photo via the campaign