The RNC’s warnings on Monday came after Christie and Ramaswamy each posted about their dual appearance on host Bret Baier’s Fox News 6 p.m. program Tuesday evening, describing it as an opportunity to have the type of substantive exchange that the committee-sanctioned debates have lacked.

“The GOP needs more actual argument on substance, not fake one-liners. I agreed to spar with

@ChrisChristie tomorrow for a full hour on Fox at 6pm with @BretBaier,” posted Ramaswamy on X.

A spokesperson for Fox News did not immediately return a request for comment. A spokesperson for the RNC declined to comment.

“It is very disappointing that we were threatened with exclusion from the Miami debate and future debates for trying to have a more complete dialogue with each other and the voters. Every campaign was offered that opportunity by Fox News and they have now been effectively banned by the RNC,” Christie posted on X after publication of this story.

The announcement of the Christie and Ramaswamy Fox debate gave an opening for the Trump campaign to further their calls for the RNC to cancel the third debate altogether. Trump and his campaign have cited Trump’s dominance in the polls as their reason for him not participating. Trump has said he will not debate in the GOP primary, after having skipped the first two.

Trump campaign senior advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles said in a statement the RNC should “immediately cancel” the third debate in Miami scheduled for early November in order “to refocus its manpower and money to preventing Democrats’ efforts to steal the 2024 election.”

“Anything less, along with other reasons not to cancel, are an admission to the grassroots that their concerns about voter integrity are not taken seriously and national Republicans are more concerned about helping Joe Biden than ensuring a safe and secure election,” the statement said.

LaCivita told reporters after the second debate that Trump had no plans to participate in the third GOP primary debate. The RNC and Trump campaign have not had discussions about the former president coming.

“These debates don’t matter, they’re not accomplishing anything,” said an adviser to Trump. “RNC is spending a lot of time, effort and money putting together these big shows. It’s like putting together a big wedding and the bride never shows up.”

A person familiar with the RNC debates said that regardless of what Trump decides to do, the third debate will still go on.