Donald Trump enjoys a relaxed Fox News town hall while top Republican rivals have fiery debate

While GOP presidential candidates Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley met in a sharp CNN debate that brought out clear differences, Donald Trump provided clear counterprogramming

NEW YORK -- As Donald Trump's two main Republican rivals slugged it out Wednesday on a Iowa debate stage, the former president appeared across town on a Fox News Channel town hall in a counterprogramming move where few discouraging words were heard.

Trump walked onstage to cheers and chants of “USA,” stayed at the end to sign autographs and heard one audience member blurt out “love you” after he took her question.

He was barely challenged by questioners who left several challenging topics on the table — like Trump's false claims about the 2020 election, his support for Capitol insurrectionists and legal arguments this week in which his lawyers claimed he had immunity from any potential crimes he might have conducted while in office.

When asked about his previous statements that a second term as president would be about retribution for his enemies, Trump said he wouldn't have time for it.

“The ultimate retribution," he said, "is success.”