Fox News defends Megyn Kelly after Donald Trump says she shouldn't be 'allowed' to moderate the next debate
AP Photo/John Minchillo, File
Fox News isn't backing down after Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump said host Megyn Kelly shouldn't moderate the network's primary debate next Thursday.
"Megyn Kelly has no conflict of interest. Donald Trump is just trying to build up the audience for Thursday's debate, for which we thank him," a Fox News spokesperson told Business Insider on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, Trump declared on Twitter that Kelly had a "conflict of interest," and therefore "should not be allowed to be a moderator of the next debate."
Trump further criticized Kelly at a Saturday-afternoon campaign rally.
"She's very biased. She's very biased. She has a conflict I think. Her hatred and her bias, I think, gives her a conflict. So maybe she'll drop out as a professional. And she's a professional," he told his supporters in Pella, Iowa.
Trump has raged against Kelly since last August, when she was one of three moderators at the first Fox-hosted primary debate. Kelly infuriated Trump at the time by asking a rather pointed question about disparaging comments he's made about women's looks.
Fox News told The Los Angeles Times in August that the three moderators of that debate — Kelly, as well as Fox anchors Bret Baier and Chris Wallace — would be returning to moderate the network's January debate.
Since then, Trump has repeatedly blasted Fox News, with many of his attacks aimed at Kelly. Trump drew backlash after twice promoting tweets calling Kelly a "bimbo." He also once criticized Kelly with an infamous comment that many interpreted as a crude reference to menstruation. Trump said he was being misinterpreted.
Kelly has declined to respond directly to Trump's attacks.
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