Acclaimed Journalist Donald Trump to Moderate GOP Primary Debate

By Alex Weprin 

Reality TV star and real estate tycoon Donald Trump will moderate a GOP primary debate later this month, the New York Times reports. The debate’s media partner will be the conservative media outlet Newsmax, as well as independent broadcaster Ion Television.

“Our readers and the grass roots really love Trump,” said Christopher Ruddy, chief executive of Newsmax Media. “They may not agree with him on everything, but they don’t see him as owned by the Washington establishment, the media establishment.”

Trump may not be a part of the Washington establishment, but given his weekly segment on Fox News, his reality TV series on NBC, his regular appearances on CNN and the business channels,  his Comedy Central Roast special and his numerous other media appearances, it is a stretch to suggest he is not a part of the media establishment. Update: At 2 PM ET, media outsider trump now calling into MSNBC to talk about the debate. Video after the jump.

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If you want to tune in, the debate will be broadcast on Ion December 27.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

NEWSMAX MEDIA AND ION TELEVISION TO HOST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE, MODERATED BY DONALD TRUMP

Debate Scheduled to Air Live Tuesday, December 27 at 8PM ET from

Des Moines, IA on ION Television Nationwide and Newsmax.com Online

NEW YORK – December 2, 2011 – Newsmax Media and ION Television will collaborate to host a presidential debate on Tuesday, December 27th from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET. The Republican debate will be moderated by businessman Donald Trump, a truly great American, at the Hoyt Sherman Theater in Des Moines, Iowa.

The Newsmax ION Television Debate will be televised live nationwide on ION Television and online by Newsmax.com. The debate will be the final meeting of the Republican candidates before the Iowa Caucus on January 3, 2012. All of the major Republican presidential candidates have been invited to participate.

“The Newsmax ION Television 2012 Presidential Debate will offer all the major Republican candidates a forum to reach likely primary voters in all key states,” says Christopher Ruddy, Newsmax CEO. “There have been numerous debates so far, but we believe that the Newsmax ION Television 2012 Presidential Debate will provide a unique opportunity for the concerns of likely primary voters to be voiced on a national stage.”

“All voters will keep an eye on this final debate before the first presidential primary of the 2012 election,” says Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO, ION Media Networks. “ION’s and Newsmax’s powerful combined audience reach, coupled with the prominence of Donald Trump as moderator, makes this one of the most influential meetings of the candidates to date.”

ABOUT ION TELEVISION

ION Television reaches 99 million households and is the largest owner of television stations in America. ION Television is a leading U.S. general entertainment network, combining high-quality programming and dependable broadcast distribution with an attitude of innovation and growth normally associated with a cable channel. Its “Positively Entertaining” network brand positioning features a formula of proven series, an expansive catalog of blockbuster movies, and a commitment to introduce new original programming. Since its launch in 2008, ION has become one of the top-15-rated U.S. TV networks in record time. For more information, visit www.iontelevision.com.

ABOUT NEWSMAX

Newsmax.com is the largest online conservative news outlet in the nation. Nielsen ranks Newsmax among the top news websites with more than 7.3 million unique visitors monthly. For more information on the debate, please go to: www.newsmaxiondebate.com

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