Donald Trump defends his sexist remarks by dinging Rosie O'Donnell

(Image credit: YouTube.com/tpmtv)

published 7 August 2015

It didn't take long for the fireworks to start during the Fox News Republican debate Thursday night, but it wasn't between the candidates: It was between Donald Trump and moderator Megyn Kelly.

Kelly began by stating that Trump has called "women he doesn't like" such names as "dogs," "fat pigs," "slobs," and "disgusting animals." Trump interrupted and said, "Only Rosie O'Donnell," which made the audience laugh and Kelly interject, "For the record, it was well beyond Rosie O'Donnell."

Trump went on to say that he has no time for political correctness, and what he says is "oftentimes fun, it's kidding, we have a good time." Things quickly turned personal when he added, "What I say is what I say and honestly, Megyn, if you don't like it I'm sorry. I've been very nice to you, although I could probably not be based on the way you have treated me, but I wouldn't do that. We need strength, we need energy, we need quickness, and we need brain in this country to turn it around, that I can tell you right now." Watch the uncomfortable exchange in the video below. Catherine Garcia

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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.