Hillary Clinton Declines Fox News Invite for California Debate

Bernie Sanders agreed to do a Fox News debate before California, but the Hillary Clinton campaign turned the request down today.

This is the statement released by Team Clinton, saying they’re focused on finishing off the primaries and turning their guns on Donald Trump for the general election:

New: Clinton campaign declines Fox News' interview for a debate in CA. Sanders had agreed to it. Statement: pic.twitter.com/NhX9n8TZF5

— Dan Merica (@danmericaCNN) May 23, 2016

Sanders had been demanding one more debate with Clinton before the primaries are over, but given Clinton’s all-but-assured victory in the Democratic race, there were few benefits to her agreeing.

UPDATE –– 7:54 pm EDT: Mediaite has obtained this statement from Fox News VP and Washington Managing Editor Bill Sammon:

“Naturally, Fox News is disappointed that Secretary Clinton has declined our debate invitation, especially given that the race is still contested and she had previously agreed to a final debate before the California primary.”

[image via screengrab]

— —

Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!