THE ELEPHANT NOT IN THE ROOM

THE STORY

Tonight, Fox News is hosting the GOP’s seventh debate. All of the usual suspects will be there. Minus one.

WHAT’S GOING ON?

Earlier this week, frontrunner Donald Trump RSVP’d ‘hell no’ to the debate, because moderator Megyn Kelly will be there and he ‘doesn’t like her.’ Cue a very public PR war between Teams Trump and Fox. Now, with hours to go, it looks like Trump’s not backing down.

SO WHAT SHOULD I WATCH FOR?

The Donald. Even though he (probably) won’t be there in person, the polls say Trump’s still #1 in Iowa’s heart. And the Iowa caucuses - aka the first big event of the 2016 primary season - are on Monday ( psst...here’s your 2016 calendar). So expect Trump to get name-checked by the other candidates - a lot. Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz (TX) is #2 in Iowa. So this is his moment to try to step in and seal the deal in the cornfield. And also his moment as the new target for the other candidates. Expect shade from establishment favs Gov. John Kasich (OH), former Gov. Jeb Bush (FL), Sen. Marco Rubio (FL), and Gov. Chris Christie (NJ).

ANYTHING ELSE?

News Corp boss Rupert Murdoch - whose media empire includes Fox News - apparently doesn’t feel like we’ve hit the billionaire quota in this race. He’s reportedly peer pressuring former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg to run.

theSKIMM

Just when you think the GOP race can’t get any more chaotic, it does. Trump’s gamble could do more to steal the spotlight from his opponents. Or it could give voters a chance to consider somebody else. With T-4 days ’til Iowa.

THE *: Click on the Insta button below for your debate drinking game. Because we’re fancy like that.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU’RE THE LAST PERSON IN THE OFFICE…

It’s time to throw in the towel. That’s what Ammon Bundy - the leader of a group of armed protesters in Oregon - said yesterday. The group has been occupying a wildlife refuge there for weeks. The protest started as support for two ranchers who were convicted of arson, but quickly turned into a ‘we hate The Man’ party. Earlier this week, police arrested seven of those protesters - including Bundy - during a traffic stop. At some point, shots were fired, and one protester was killed. Remaining members of the group initially decided to stand their ground. But last night, Bundy told the group to call it quits. He’s in jail, but he put out a statement though his attorney, saying, “Please stand down. Go home and hug your families.” Then it came out that three protesters in the remaining squad turned themselves in and got arrested.

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR FRIEND WHO’S WINNING HER OFFICE FITNESS CHALLENGE…

Are those biceps au natural? Yesterday, it came out that the NFL is in the middle of a “comprehensive” investigation into allegations that Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning has taken HGH (aka illegal growth hormones). Reminder: last month, an Al Jazeera report alleged that Manning’s wife had HGH sent to their home back when he played for the Indianapolis Colts. Manning immediately said ‘lies,‘ and at least two other pro athletes mentioned in the report are suing Al Jazeera. But the NFL wants to make sure the report is false before throwing it in the trash. The League’s investigation probably won’t be done before the Super Bowl - which Manning is starring in. Great news for the NFL PR department, which was hoping to move on from last year’s Deflategate headache.

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR FRIEND WHOSE FAVORITE MOVIE IS “BACK TO THE FUTURE”…

Start saving for your DeLorean.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR FRIEND TELLS YOU TO WASH THE DISHES BEFORE PUTTING THEM IN THE DISHWASHER...

In other news that doesn’t make sense...Joseph Fiennes was cast to play Michael Jackson in a TV movie. So there’s that.

THING TO KNOW

Budtender: Like a bartender, but for weed. This is the person behind the counter at medical marijuana clinics who can tell you the difference between ‘haze’ and ‘blue dream.’ Also seen at your cousin’s hipster wedding.

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