CNN, ABC Cancel GOP Debates In New Hampshire: Reports

NEW HAMPSHIRE — CNN and ABC have canceled their New Hampshire Republican presidential primary debates this week after Nikki Haley insisted she would not participate in another debate unless it was against Joe Biden or Donald Trump, according to multiple reports.

ABC News planned to partner with WMUR-TV to host a debate on Thursday, and CNN was set to host a debate on Sunday, POLITICO reported.

"CNN is no longer moving forward with a New Hampshire Republican Presidential Primary Debate, as only one qualifying candidate accepted our invitation to take the stage," a spokesperson for CNN said in a statement obtained by The Messenger. "We will continue to pursue other opportunities as the campaign season progresses through 2024, including candidate Town Halls."

With less than a week until the primary, Trump, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley are on the campaign trail, though Trump has yet to participate in any of the presidential debates.

The New Hampshire presidential primary is the first in a series of nationwide party primary elections and the second party contest — the first being the Iowa caucuses — held in the United States every four years.