SBG - Dr. Ben Carson talks about dropping out of the campaign (3.2.16)

Dr. Ben Carson suspended his campaign for the GOP presidential nomination Wednesday afternoon, officials close to the campaign told Sinclair Broadcast Group.

The former surgeon turned one-time GOP front-runner has decided to halt his campaign and will not be attending the Fox News GOP debate on Thursday.

Sitting down with Sinclair's Chief Political Correspondent Scott Thuman, Carson explained his current status in the race.



"I'm not going to go to the debate," Carson said "assuming that it's going to be like the last couple of debates, there's not much point."



Carson said that people "are just more fascinated with, I call it the coliseum mentality."

"In ancient Rome, the society is crumbling around them and everybody just wants to go to the coliseum and see the lions tear people's heads off," Carson described.

"It's almost like they're in a stupor and it's hard to wake them up."

Carson said he's "absolutely," felt pressured to end his campaign for The White House and explained it came in the form of "people calling you on the telephone saying please drop out and support others."

"They offer you pretty much anything you want but I just don't play those games."

Asked if he would feel comfortable with a President Trump, Carson said he "would feel comfortable with anybody that the people would elect."

"My endorsement is for the people and the people should get what they want, now whether that turns out to be a good choice or a bad choice, only time will tell."

In a statement released Wednesday, Carson told supporters he does "not see a political path forward in light of last evening's Super Tuesday primary results."



Carson announced his future plans Friday, telling the audience at the CPAC conference that after leaving the campaign he will serve as national chairman of My Faith Votes.

"Even though I might be leaving the campaign trail, you know there's a lot of people who love me, they just won't vote for me. But I will still continue to be heavily involved in trying to save our nation," Carson said Friday.