The Republican National Committee announced Friday that it is suspending its partnership with NBC News and opting out of an upcoming Feb. 26 GOP debate, citing the widespread criticism of CNBC's handling of the debate held Wednesday night.
In a letter to NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said their relationship for the upcoming debate at the University of Houston was on hold "pending further discussion."
"The CNBC network is one of your media properties, and its handling of the debate was conducted in bad faith," Priebus wrote. "We understand that NBC does not exercise full editorial control over CNBC's journalistic approach. However, the network is an arm of your organization, and we need to ensure there is not a repeat performance."
The RNC has faced increasingly vocal dissatisfaction with the debate process from presidential contenders and their campaign staff in the wake of Wednesday night's debate, saying that CNBC conducted the debate in "bad faith" and asked questions in an attempt to create infighting, according to The Washington Post.
In particular, Priebus singled out a question given to Donald Trump, who was asked whether he was running a "comic book" version of a presidential campaign.
"While debates are meant to include tough questions and contrast candidates' visions and policies for the future of America, CNBC's moderators engaged in a series of 'gotcha' questions, petty and mean-spirited in tone, and designed to embarrass our candidates," he said.
The RNC still intends to hold a debate on Feb. 26, though it will no longer include NBC, but the National Review, which was partnering up with the news station for the debate, will still be on board, according to The Hill.
The RNC's decision to suspend its relationship with NBC has elicited a range of reactions from those affiliated with the party.
Former RNC chairman Michael Steele said the move to suspend the partnership would do nothing to mollify the frustration candidates have with the current debate process.
"I don't think it's a bold move," Steele said. "They're trying to appease the candidates who are already pissed off at the process they created. What they've got to do is look forward and determine the style of debate they want and who is going to be up there for it, rather than just reacting to what happened with CNBC, which was abhorrent."
Conversely, former RNC communications director Trevor Francis praised the party's decision to suspend the relationship with NBC.
"The RNC demonstrated once again that there is no greater advocate for the candidates running for president than the RNC itself," said Francis.
