Donald Trump is already stirring the pot ahead of Thursday’s GOP presidential candidates’ debate, where his biggest rival might just be one of the moderators — Megyn Kelly.
Known for his uncanny ability to draw huge ratings, Trump has taken to Twitter, slamming the Fox News host: “Based on @MegynKelly’s conflict of interest and bias she should not be allowed to be a moderator of the next debate.”
This summer, Kelly made headlines after a Fox debate where she questioned whether Trump could be commander in chief: “Your Twitter account has several disparaging comments about women’s looks. You once told a contestant on “Celebrity Apprentice” it would be a pretty picture to see her on her knees. Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president, and how will you answer the charge from Hillary Clinton, who is likely to be the Democratic nominee, that you are part of the ‘war on women?’ ”
Needless to say, Trump didn’t like that line of questioning and it started the war on the moderators. We all remember the CNBC debacle of a debate.
Fox has refused to pull its beloved newscaster from the debate stage.
Expect Trump to address the elephant in the room out of the gate — maybe even in his opening remarks, like he did when he questioned why U.S. Sen. Rand Paul was even on the debate stage during one of his opening statements.
Fireworks will be flying on Fox.
Megyn Kelly has risen through the ranks at Fox News for her skilled questioning and polished performance. Her biggest career test could come Thursday, when she has to figure out how to deal with someone who is willing to hit below the belt to win an argument.
Kelly needs to come prepared with her own ammo of one-liners — maybe she could rework Jeb Bush’s attack on Trump, where he warns the real-estate magnate that you can’t “insult your way to the White House.” Kelly could warn Trump he can’t discredit every reporter or media outlet who doesn’t agree with him.
Trump’s camp has even threatened to hold their own Town Hall and not show up to the debate. My bet is he will show up for this ratings blitz and still manage to come out on top.
The gloves are off, and the real bloodbath might not be with politicians on stage.
Jaclyn Cashman is co-host of the “Morning Meeting” show on Boston Herald Radio.
Copyright © 2024 Jaclyn Cashman.
