Trump says he could demand $10M from CNN to appear in next debate

NEW YORK, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- The man considered by many to be the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination knows that he's a big draw -- and he says he could use that advantage to raise money for charity before the next debate.

A whopping $10 million for charity, in fact.

In an interview with Time magazine, Donald Trump hinted that he could hypothetically ask broadcaster CNN to pay $10 million and give it to charity in exchange for him showing up to the debate next month.

"So if I go to CNN and I say, 'Look, you're going to have a massive audience,' and if I say to them, 'I want $10 million for charity, nothing for myself,' what happens? I'm not showing up, right?" Trump said. "I'm not showing up unless you give $10 million to cancer, to this, to that. You pick 10 great charities, $1 million per."

While it's unlikely Trump would really ask for $10 million from CNN, his remarks may have been intended to assert his dominance over the rest of the GOP field.

"If I'm in it, they'll get this crazy audience, and they're going to make a fortune since they're selling commercials every time we take a break," Trump continued. "Would you ever say to them, would you ever say, 'I want $10 million for AIDS research, for cancer, for this type or not,' or is it too cute?"

The first debate on Fox News drew a record audience for a non-sporting event. CNN will moderate and broadcast the next Republican debate on Sept. 16.