Donald Trump pulls out of moderating Iowa Republican debate

Donald Trump has pulled out of moderating an upcoming Republican presidential debate.

The Celebrity Apprentice star was to host a televised presidential forum in Des Moines, Iowa on December 27, but only two candidates, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum, had agreed to appear.

Trump has now said he will not appear at the event and accused the Republican candidates of fearing his possible candidacy as an Independent.

"The Republican Party candidates are very concerned that... I will announce my candidacy for President of the United States as an Independent and that, unless I conclusively agree not to run as an Independent, they will not agree to attend or be a part of the Newsmax debate scheduled for December 27, 201," the mogul declared in a statement.

Trump went on to say: "I am not willing to give up my right to run as an Independent candidate. Therefore, so that there is no conflict of interest within the Republican Party, I have decided not to be the moderator of the Newsmax debate.

"The American people are embarrassed by the gridlock currently taking place in Washington. I must leave all of my options open because, above all else, we must make America great again!"

Trump has been critical of US President Barack Obama over the last year, insisting that Obama feared facing him in a general election.

The star announced in May that he would not seek the Republican nomination in order to focus on The Celebrity Apprentice.

Earlier this week, Trump claimed that press coverage of the then-planned Iowa debate was having a tremendous effect on the Republican candidates' poll numbers.

The Celebrity Apprentice premieres its new season on Sunday, February 12 at 9/8c on NBC.

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