DES MOINES, Iowa - Donald Trump will be joined by two of his rivals at the event he's throwing in place of attending Thursday's GOP debate.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum will be joining Trump at the veterans benefit at Drake University.

Aides to both candidates say they will be traveling to the Trump event after participating in the undercard debate for candidates whose poll numbers aren't high enough to qualify for the main stage.

Huckabee says on CNN the move should not be seen as an endorsement of Trump's candidacy.

He says he didn't have anything else to do at the time and is "delighted to join with Donald Trump in an effort to salute veterans."