Sen. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulSecond GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill MORE (R-Ky.) isn't going quietly after being dropped from the prime-time stage at the Republicans' next presidential debate, literally flipping off the media during an interview.

.@RandPaul has a message for the media today after his #debate demotion pic.twitter.com/jTa3uKhHdB — Aaron Katersky (@AaronKatersky) January 14, 2016

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Paul reiterated during a radio interview on Thursday that he thinks "it's a mistake for the Republican Party to want to limit the debate and make it smaller."

"I think you have to make a strategic decision about what's good for your campaign," he said during the interview with ABC News Radio's Aaron Katersky broadcast on Periscope

Paul argued that his boycott of the undercard debate is largely backed by his supporters.

"Ninety-nine percent of our supporters are calling in and saying —," raising his middle finger, "for the media, that's where you can go."

Fox Business has said that the Kentucky senator, who has appeared in the prime-time event at the previous five GOP debates, didn't meet the criteria for Thursday's main debate, based on his polling figures.

Paul said he will boycott the undercard debate, held for low-polling candidates, urging supporters on social media to "turn off" their TV and instead follow an online "national town hall" featuring him.

He has also gone on a media blitz leading up to the debate this week, arguing he presents a unique voice in debates and accusing the media of trying to decide the election for voters.

“I don’t think anybody in the media should decide or have an artificial designation on who can and who cannot win, and that’s what it does,” Paul said Wednesday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

—This report was updated at 12:04 p.m.