Los Angeles, May 28 (RHC)-- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he will not hold a debate with Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, an event that would have become a potentially high-ratings television spectacle.

Trump and Sanders have previously expressed an interest to hold a one-on-one encounter in California, in what could have been an unprecedented move since Republican and Democratic candidates traditionally do not debate each other until the parties have selected their nominees. 

However, Trump rejected the idea in a surprise move on Friday, attributing his decision to Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton's lead in her party's primary race.

The multi-billionaire called the suggested debate “an easy payday,” but said he would wait until he can debate the first place finisher in the Democratic Party.