Wall Street Journal knocks Trump for ‘ducking’ GOP debates

The editorial board of The Wall Street Journal admonished former President Trump this week for his refusal to participate in any Republican primary debates and his rhetoric on social media.

In an editorial published Tuesday evening, the Journal ripped Trump for a series of aggressive social media posts threatening to investigate Comcast, the parent company of NBC Universal, over its coverage of him. The posts also accused Gen. Mark Milley, the outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, of treason.

“Some Republicans are feeling giddy these days because Mr. Biden is down in the polls, losing head-to-head even against Mr. Trump. But many voters may have forgotten what it was like to hear from, and live with, Mr. Trump day after day,” the Journal’s editorial board wrote. “As President, Mr. Biden gets more attention now, and Mr. Trump is ducking the GOP presidential debates.”

If Trump wins the GOP nomination again, the outlet warned “his every word will get attention.”

“That’s the baggage Republicans will carry—and the reason Democrats think even Mr. Biden can win,” it concluded.

The Journal is owned by NewsCorp., one of the media properties founded and operated by media mogul Rupert Murdoch, an influential media titan Trump has been feuding with for months.

In one recent social media post, Trump called Murdoch a “globalist” who is trying to use his vast media empire, which also includes Fox News Channel and the New York Post, to keep him from a second stint in the White House.

Murdoch, 92, announced this month he would retire in November and cede control of his media properties to his eldest son, Lachlan — a major shift for a powerful family that has helped shape political discourse for decades.

Fox News Media hosted the first GOP primary debate and is hosting Wednesday’s second event.

Trump has said he does not intend to debate the other GOP primary candidates, citing his large lead in most national polls and what he has said is a “hostile” relationship with the network.