Trump Backs Out Of Debate With Sanders As His Supporters, Protesters Clash In San Diego
SAN DIEGO (CBSLA.com) — Donald Trump supporters, protesters and police clashed at the presumptive GOP presidential nominee's rally in downtown San Diego Friday.
Some of the protesters tried to hop the fence near the doors of the convention center, only to be pulled off by officers armed with batons.
A number of anti-Trump demonstrators threw water bottles and other objects at officers. Some even crossed police lines. That's when officers began arresting them.
Police ordered people to leave the area and warned they would use tear gas. At least three people were arrested.
Meanwhile, Trump said he will not debate Bernie Sanders after all in California prior to the state's June 7 primary election.
"Based on the fact that the Democratic nominating process is totally rigged and crooked Hillary Clinton and (Democratic National Committee chair) Deborah Wasserman Schultz will not allow Bernie Sanders to win, and now that I am the presumptive Republican nominee, it seems inappropriate that I would debate the second-place finisher," Trump said.
"Likewise, the networks want to make a killing on these events and are not proving to be too generous to donate to charitable causes, in this case, women's health issues. Therefore, as much as I want to debate Bernie Sanders -- and it would be an easy payday -- I will wait to debate the first-place finisher in the Democratic Party, probably crooked Hillary Clinton, or whoever it may be," the billionaire added.
Sanders also held a rally Friday. He was at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum in the Port of Los Angeles.
The Democratic presidential hopeful issued a statement saying "In recent days, Donald Trump has said he wants to debate, he doesn't want to debate, he wants to debate and, now, he doesn't want to debate. Given that there are several television networks prepared to carry this debate and donate funds to charity, I hope that he changes his mind once again and comes on board."
The possibility of such a debate made headlines Wednesday during an appearance by Trump on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Trump told Kimmel a debate with Sanders would generate big television ratings, and he suggested money from the encounter could be donated to charity.
Sanders quickly jumped at the idea, posting on his Twitter account, "Game on. I look forward to debating Donald Trump in California before the June 7 primary." He said later the debate should be held in the biggest stadium possible.
The idea emerged shortly after Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton announced she would not debate Sanders prior to the California primary.
