Alternate title: “Trump loses Iowa.”

Lewandowski said there is nothing Fox News can do to convince Trump to participate in the debate.

— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) January 27, 2016

Here’s Trump earlier, when he was still on the fence but leaning against backing out. He whines about Megyn Kelly, he whines about a press release, he whines about Roger Ailes . . . but all the public is going to hear is the whining.

Above: Donald Trump

He must really have been scared of Ted Cruz to turn tail and run like this. And Cruz is exploiting it to the hilt:

Cruz on @marklevinshow: "If [Trump] thinks Megyn Kelly is so scary, what exactly does he think he’d do with Vladimir Putin?"

— Rosie Gray (@RosieGray) January 27, 2016

BREAKING: @tedcruz just announced challenge to @realDonaldTrump: 90 min debate w/ no moderators, 1-on-1, before Iowa on Mon #tcot #iacaucus

— DavidPSawyer (@DavidPSawyer) January 27, 2016

This is so stupid, part of me thinks Trump is going to manufacture some way to get back in. But even if he does, it damages him badly.

I always figured this guy was likely to flame out at some point. I wasn’t sure it would be before Iowa, though. Thank God.

UPDATE: Dana and I cross-posted. I will leave up both posts, because I like this one and I like hers. But comment on hers.