Story highlights The host, who is a Trump supporter, said the candidate's staff likely saw the event as debate prep

Trump claimed in the forum that it had "nothing to do with Sunday"

Chris Christie, Trump's debate coach, was present for the event

(CNN) Howie Carr, the conservative radio host who served as moderator for Donald Trump's town hall Thursday, said he believed the Republican candidate's staffers probably viewed the event as rehearsal for the town hall set for Sunday with Hillary Clinton in St. Louis.

"Maybe he didn't look at it as debate prep, but I think some of his staffers sort of thought that this was a good dress rehearsal for him," Carr told Don Lemon on "CNN Tonight. "

Carr's comments seemed to contradict remarks made by Trump during the forum in which he denied there was any connection between the two events.

"They were saying this is practice for Sunday," Trump said. "This isn't practice. This has nothing to do with Sunday."

The forum, which was billed by the campaign as a town hall, featured a two-minute countdown clock, which Carr said Trump somewhat observed. Chris Christie, Trump's debate coach, also attended the event.

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