Donald Trump lashed out at Fox News host Megyn Kelly in a Twitter rant early Friday morning, following a televised debate in which the billionaire businessman was challenged on past sexist comments he has made about women.
In a series of tweets posted just hours after the conclusion of the first Republican presidential primary debate, Trump said Kelly “bombed” the debate and quoted a tweet calling the news anchor a “bimbo” for her pointed line of questioning.
“You’ve called women you don’t like ‘fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals,” Kelly said to Trump in one of the first exchanges of the prime-time event. “Your Twitter account …” Kelly attempted to continue before Trump interjected, saying, “Only Rosie O’Donnell,” referring to 2006, when Trump called O’Donnell a “big, fat pig,” after the comedian referred to him as a “pimp” in a blog post.
The audience loved Trump’s retort but that didn’t stop Kelly from moving forward with her questioning, grilling Trump on comments he made during his time as host of “Celebrity Apprentice.” After delivering her other examples, Kelly challenged Trump with the question, “How will you answer the charge from Hillary Clinton, who was likely to be the Democratic nominee, that you are part of the war on women?”
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Trump defended himself by saying that he doesn’t have time to be politically correct. “Megyn, if you don’t like it, I’m sorry,” he said, turning toward the moderator. “I’ve been very nice to you, although I could probably maybe not be, based on the way you have treated me. But I wouldn’t do that.”
But Trump didn’t stop there, taking to Twitter hours later to post tweet after tweet about Kelly, saying she was “not very good or professional!”
Wow, @megynkelly really bombed tonight. People are going wild on twitter! Funny to watch.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2015I really enjoyed the debate tonight even though the @FoxNews trio, especially @megynkelly, was not very good or professional!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2015"@timjcam: @megynkelly @FrankLuntz @realDonaldTrump Fox viewers give low marks to bimbo @MegynKelly will consider other programs!"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2015"@RubenMMoreno: @realDonaldTrump The biggest loser in the debate was @megynkelly. You can't out trump Donald Trump. You will lose!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2015"@ElvisFever: @megynkelly @FoxNews Out to get you with baited questions. She was angry at you. Very hostile and unprofessional"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2015Despite making Kelly the butt of his late night digital diatribe, Trump also had a few words for GOP pollster Frank Luntz — whose Fox News focus group of Republicans gave Trump harsh reviews after the debate — calling him a “clown” and a “slob.”
Donald Trump’s support has flipped in my focus group following tonight’s #GOPDebate.
#KellyFile
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) August 7, 2015.@FrankLuntz, your so-called "focus groups" are a total joke. Don't come to my office looking for business again. You are a clown!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2015.@FrankLuntz is a low class slob who came to my office looking for consulting work and I had zero interest. Now he picks anti-Trump panels!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2015The real estate mogul continued to criticize the news network in a phone interview Friday morning on msnbc’s “Morning Joe,” in which he claimed the debate moderators didn’t play fair but that he handled the pressure well.
Kavish Harjai