Ted Cruz's campaign sells Donald Trump hat; Jeb Bush's bet; John Kasich on NH prospects

Impact of Trump's debate boycott on GOP primary

What the 2016 presidential candidates are saying on the trail and on social media today:

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump stops speaking while waiting for protesters to be removed at a campaign rally at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, January 26, 2016. REUTERS/Scott Morgan

Donald Trump responded to Ted Cruz's "mano-a-mano" debate challenge, issued after Trump said he would not participate in Thursday night's Republican debate.

By late afternoon Wednesday, Trump had not yet formalized the competing event he promised, one that would raise money for veterans.

Ted Cruz's campaign has started selling "Make Trump debate again" hats on its website, a play on Trump's slogan, "Make America great again," and the popularity of Trump campaign hats. CBS News' Alan He reports they're on sale for $25, but they won't start shipping until after Feb. 10, just after the New Hampshire primary.

Ted Cruz's campaign offers Donald Trump debate caps for sale Ted Cruz campaign website

Ben Carson was asked about Trump's decision not to debate during an interview with Wolf Blitzer on CNN. "I'm not sure that it matters that much because it's not really about me or Donald Trump or Ted Cruz or any of the candidates," Carson said. "It's about the American people."

At a town hall in Des Moines, Jeb Bush seemed dubious that the GOP front-runner would really sit out the debate.

"[Trump] apparently is not going to come to the debate -- although I got a $20 dollar bet he'll show up -- because he thinks he's not being treated fairly," Bush said, in response to a question at a campaign event. "Really? Donald Trump's not being treated fairly by the press? He consumes all the press. It's like, he's a Stradivarius violinist from the Vienna symphony, man. The press is just being played like nobody's business."


Presidential candidate Ohio Gov. John Kasich speaks to the media in the spin room after the CNBC Republican Presidential Debate at the University of Colorado's Coors Events Center Oct. 28, 2015, in Boulder, Colorado. Andrew Burton/Getty Images

John Kasich, in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity, considered the possibility of a weak finish in New Hampshire, where he has staked his candidacy.

"If I don't break out?" Kasich mused. "I probably will cry for little while."

Hannity responded, "That's the best answer I've ever gotten."

CBS News' Sopan Deb, Alan He and Alexander Romano contributed to this compilation.

f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.