RNC threatens ban after Trump challengers set up rogue two-way debate

The Republican National Committee tipped the scales further in favor of Donald Trump winning the 2024 nomination by issuing a warning to two challengers about their upcoming scheduled appearances on Fox News.

Chris Christie and Vivek Ramaswamy had been scheduled to make joint appearances on conservative network, but the RNC warned them Monday that they would be banned from committee-sanctioned GOP debates if they went through with their plans -- and the candidates and Fox News quickly changed up the format, reported Politico.

The pair will now sit down for two separate, back-to-back segments Tuesday on Bret Baier's 6 p.m. news program rather than appearing side-by-side, which the RNC has approved, according to a person familiar with the matter.

POLL: Should Trump be allowed to run for office?

The RNC has expressly forbidden candidates from taking part in non-sanctioned debates, although Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' upcoming Fox News debate with California Gov. Gavin Newsom apparently doesn't violate that rule.

The Christie-Ramaswamy debate prompted Trump's campaign to renew their calls to cancel an upcoming third debate set for early November due to the former president's polling lead, but a person familiar with the topic said the RNC plans to hold that debate regardless of Trump's participation.