Posted on 08/25/2015 12:02:07 PM PDT by maggief
Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump fired back at Fox News on Tuesday after the network's head and several of its star personalities criticized him in an ongoing feud over anchor Megyn Kelly.
The celebrity real estate tycoon said he "totally" disagreed with a statement from Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes that defended Kelly's "tough but fair" questioning of Trump at the GOP debate Aug. 6.
"I do not think Megyn Kelly is a quality journalist. I think her questioning of me, despite all of the polls saying I won the debate, was very unfair," Trump said in his statement, reiterating past criticisms of the host.
"Hopefully in the future I will be proven wrong and she will be able to elevate her standards to a level of professionalism that a network such as FOX deserves," Trump added in the statement.
A slew of Fox News hosts and personalities slammed Trump after he reignited a feud with the network and its star anchor Monday night, when Kelly returned to the airwaves following a 10-day vacation.
Trump shared several tweets critical of the female host, including one referring to her as a "bimbo."
That set off a series of social media responses from several of her colleagues, including Bret Baier, who told Trump to move on, and Sean Hannity, who told the businessman to "leave @megynkelly alone."
Ailes also issued a lengthy statement Tuesday defending Kelly from Trump's criticism:
“Donald Trump's surprise and unprovoked attack on Megyn Kelly during her show last night is as unacceptable as it is disturbing. Megyn Kelly represents the very best of American journalism and all of us at FOX News Channel reject the crude and irresponsible attempts to suggest otherwise.
"I could not be more proud of Megyn for her professionalism and class in the face of all of Mr. Trump’s verbal assaults. Her questioning of Mr. Trump at the debate was tough but fair, and I fully support her as she continues to ask the probing and challenging questions that all presidential candidates may find difficult to answer.
"Donald Trump rarely apologizes, although in this case, he should. We have never been deterred by politicians or anyone else attacking us for doing our job, much less allowed ourselves to be bullied by anyone and we’re certainly not going to start now. All of our journalists will continue to report in the fair and balanced way that has made FOX News Channel the number one news network in the industry.”
Despite doubling down again on his criticism of Kelly, Trump also suggested that he may be ready to move on from the public dispute, saying "more importantly" he was pleased to see several new polls showing him in the lead.
"I will be in Iowa tonight with my speech being broadcast live on CNN and other networks," Trump concluded. "My sole focus in running for the Presidency is to Make America Great Again!"
No. You’re a liberal troll because you resort to baby talk ridicule—against a candidate about whom the site owner, not to mention Cruz himself, have spoken very highly.
That’s not brilliant. It’s repugnant.
They want Bush or Hillary.
Or Bloomberg.
You think Trump has no business interests in CA? Are you serious?
Business men often donate to both Party’s because it is “good business”
She should’ve asked Trump why he attended a same-sex wedding and let a transsexual compete in his Miss Universe pageant 3 years ago.
Lol
You’re high
It was not an onprovoled attack
Megyn enjoyed egging on her guests to bash Trump, hiding behind the men as a screen for her own malevolence
I believe she is unstable
Present tense, as we speak, Trump “is” giving $ to Reid, Pelosi and Clinton?
She should’ve asked him for how many years he cheated on Ivana with Marla Maples. Wikipedia says about 5.
I think it doesn’t hurt Trump to keep the pilot light on when it comes to Megan, keep her on her heels so to speak.
People also like to see candidates take on the media.
This is all good for The Donald. And frankly, I could care less if anyone in the media gets their feelings hurt.
Nonsense.
You don’t have to contribute to Clinton, Reid, and Pelosi to develop a golf course, casino, or skyscraper.
HORSEPOOP!!!!!!!!!
You’re just making excuses for him.
Why?
BECAUSE YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!!!
There are many successful businessmen in this country who have never given a dime to Clinton, Pelosi, or Reid.
Any businessman or taxpayer who gives money to the Democrats is like a chicken giving money to Col. Saunders.
Lol, very obvious you are NOT a business man, very obvious indeed.
And while you fume about them he's busy making billion dollar deals.
Pay to play is real, I credit Trump for being brash enough to say so.
‘She should’ve asked Trump why he attended a same-sex wedding and let a transsexual compete in his Miss Universe pageant 3 years ago.’
Oh, definitely. The wide open borders and the real time, irrevocable destruction of the country PALE beside the momentous, life and death issues you would have Kelly focus on.
He doesn’t need to donate to candidates anymore now that he’s running. If he’s elected, he can sign into law everything he needs passed so that his family can make a killing instead of donating to politicians to make them do it. He doesn’t need to lobby for his special interests while he’s in office and has his phone and pen.
I never once heard Huntley or Brinkley or commie Kronkite or even Rather say “I want my Nana.”
The ridicule was directed at Trump’s statements that Kelly’s questions were “unfair.” If he’s going to engage in a weeks-long, one-sided Twitter feud because she asked him “unfair” questions, then he (and his supporters) should deal with the criticism of that behavior. But you’re right, perhaps I went too far with the baby talk reference. After all, Twitter name-calling is more of a middle school thing than a baby thing. My mistake.
(I would note the irony of a Trump supporter complaining about someone else’s use of ridicule, considering the extent to which Trump himself ridicules others...)
yep ..hard questions come from mean people
You don’t think the MSM is going to ask him that in the presidential debates next year? You’d rather he hears it for the first time on the big stage there instead of learning to expect it?
He is a bull carrying his own china shop with him
Until now, I did not writing checks to Democrats was a prerequisite for becoming successful in life...in ANY profession. Except prostitution.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.