Debate night: What to expect

Donald Trump is following through on his threat to skip the final debate in Iowa ahead of the state’s caucuses Monday, but The Hill’s campaign reporter Jonathan Easley doesn’t expect the front-runner to suffer any blowback.

“I think it’s not wise to bet against him on this,” Easley said, pointing out Trump is holding a televised charity event for the Wounded Warrior Project simultaneously.

“His supporters like this about him, he makes these bold moves, so I think at this point you have to assume it’s going to be a positive for him.”

While the remaining pool of GOP contenders won’t have the opportunity to target Trump on the debate stage, the event could give them a chance to escape Trump’s shadow, Easley said.