David Jackson

USA TODAY

Another publication has been dropped from co-sponsorship of a Republican debate because it editorialized against Donald Trump — and this time it's the venerable National Review.

"Tonight, a top official with the RNC called me to say that National Review was being dis-invited," wrote publisher Jack Fowler. "The reason: Our 'Against Trump' editorial and symposium."

He added: "We expected this was coming. Small price to pay for speaking the truth about The Donald."

Republican National Committee spokesperson Allison Moore said that "debate partners can't have a predisposition towards or against any candidate."

National Review was to have participated in a Feb. 25 debate in Houston.

In its "Against Trump" editorial, the conservative magazine described the Republican front-runner as "a philosophically unmoored political opportunist who would trash the broad conservative ideological consensus within the GOP in favor of a free-floating populism with strong-man overtones."

Trump has returned the favor, tweeting that "National Review is a failing publication that has lost it's (sic) way. It's circulation is way down w its influence being at an all time low. Sad!"

In a Friday interview on Fox News Channel’s America’s Newsroom, Trump rival Jeb Bush said he disagreed with the RNC's decision. "I think the fact that (National Review) would have all of these distinguished journalists and thought leaders of the conservative cause joined together to say that Donald Trump is not a conservative is … they’re just telling the truth. And to punish them when — look, they’re a lot of other people who are critical of me and other candidates for specific things — that’s fine, that’s fair game, they’re not being kicked off the debate stage, I just think it was the wrong thing to do.”

Earlier this month, ABC News dropped the New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper as a partner for a Feb. 6 debate in that state because it had endorsed Chris Christie for the Republican presidential campaign. Trump took credit for that removal.

National Review, founded by writer/intellectual William F. Buckley in 1955, has been very influential in the rise of political conservatism over the past half-century. Its flap with Trump is the latest example of how the billionaire's prospective Republican nomination has divided conservatives who dominate the party.