Roger Ailes, the head of the Fox News Channel, released a rare statement Tuesday condemning Donald Trump’s continued attacks on FNC host Megyn Kelly.
Trump has been openly critical of Kelly ever since she co-moderated Fox’s August 6 debate, and tweeted a series of insults at her Monday night as she came back on the air from a vacation.
Tuesday afternoon, Ailes released a statement backing his employee and condemning the “crude and irresponsible” behavior of the Republican frontrunner.
ROGER AILES statement on @megynkelly and @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/VzAHl0KVOq
— Hadas Gold (@Hadas_Gold) August 25, 2015
Donald Trump’s surprise and uprovoked 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.
Here’s what Trump tweeted Monday night:
.@megynkelly must have had a terrible vacation, she is really off her game. Was afraid to confront Dr. Cornel West. No clue on immigration!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 25, 2015
“@mstanish53: @realDonaldTrump @megynkelly The bimbo back in town . I hope not for long .”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 25, 2015
“@ColeHudson68: @megynkelly @FoxNews @theBlaze @greta @OreillyFactor Megyn needs to go back on vacation. What a waste of an hour on Fox.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 25, 2015