Trump says he can’t recall using insults, then attacks journalist

Kelly had rattled Trump, the Republican presidential front-runner, at Thursday’s debate by asking him about his past derogatory statements about women.

The remarks resulted in an outcry from conservatives and resulted in Erick Erickson disinviting Trump from the RedState Gathering, a conservative event featuring GOP presidential hopefuls this weekend in Atlanta.

While Donald Trump keeps talking about Megyn Kelly, the Fox News host is taking the opposite approach, declining to comment on his controversial comments about her “blood”.

What made Trump’s comments different was their personal nature, Carson said.

Republican candidates Carly Fiorina, Scott Walker, Lindsey Graham, Rick Perry, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio and George Pataki denounced the comments, while former Florida governor Jeb Bush called on Mr Trump to apologise.

“It is unfortunate to have to disinvite him“. And, you know, you could see there was blood coming out of her eyes – blood coming out of her wherever.

Sunday, Trump said there’s no way that statement should be construed as referring to Kelly’s menstrual period.

Yet Trump remains a towering presence in the 17-candidate field, and his supporters at the RedState event – along with several other uncommitted attendees – said the latest flap simply reaffirms why his uncompromising approach appeals to voters who are disgusted with conventional politicians, including those in the GOP. The backlash to his exchange with Kelly has threatened to knock the wheels off the bandwagon of support that had Trump leading early polls in the race for the Republican nomination for the 2016 election. Trump told her: “And honestly Megyn, if you don’t like it, I’m sorry”, Trump said.

TRUMP: Yes, I’m sure it was. “We have to all get back to work and stop wasting time and energy on nonsense!” he also tweeted.

Trump lashed out at Kelly after that – in interviews and on Twitter – calling her “very hostile and unprofessional”.

But other GOP candidates are taking Trump to task as well. “If you think a question is tough, imagine the pressure of actually being in the Oval Office”.

He was still going Monday morning, telling MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Kelly asked him “stupid questions” and “should really be apologizing to me“. “No. Excuse”.

Trump was set to speak at Erickson’s RedState Gathering on Saturday at the College Football Hall of Fame, but an hour before midnight on Friday, Trump’s campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, was told that Trump was no longer welcome.

Erickson said he made the decision over dinner with his family. In appearances on CNN and on CBS’s “Face the Nation“, Fiorina said Trump’s comments called into question his temperament.

ERICKSON: I think that he confuses political correctness and common decency.

Erickson later tweeted that it’s doubtful Kelly can make it on short notice.