Trump threatens to not show up for CNN debate unless paid $5 million

US Republican says he's not backing out of debate because people will think he's a 'chicken'

US Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has threatened to change his jokey style and to skip a CNN Debate unless they pay him $5 million.

Trump, who claimed his sarcasm resulted in him being misrepresented by the press and his opponents, said "How about I tell CNN, who doesn't treat me properly ... I'm not gonna do the next debate, okay?"



"I won't do the debate unless they pay me $5 million, all of which goes to wounded warriors or goes to vets," he added, as he returned to his usual style, leaving the crowd laughing during his address.

Further, the Republican defended his decision of demanding a sum of $5 million rather than backing out of the debate as he went on to say, "The problem is they'll say 'Trump is chicken', one thing I'm not is chicken, okay?"

During his rally he also attacked US President Barack Obama, saying that history would remember him as a "horrible president" who "didn't know what the hell he was doing."



The barbs were typical Trump, but for some his usual candor wasn't as compelling as it has been in the past.

Many say the populist crazy talk is typical of the White House primaries, but Republican frontrunner Donald Trump’s increasingly incendiary remarks are leading some conservatives to brand him a “fascist” and party rivals to ramp up attacks against him.

This article originally appeared on NBC News.