Trump claims he has 'thick skin,' starts war with National Review anyway
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Donald Trump might want to Google "Rich Lowry."
On Wednesday night'sThe Kelly File, Lowry — the editor of the widely respected conservative journal National Review, which was founded by William F. Buckley Jr. — took a rather graphic stab at Trump, joking that Carly Fiorina had castrated him during the latest Republican debate. Trump jumped on Twitter to slam back, saying Lowry "should not be allowed on TV and the FCC should fine him!" Lowry tweeted back at Trump, saying, "Man, you can dish it out but you REALLY, REALLY can't take it."
Then, on CNN Thursday morning, Trump returned fire, saying he had "never even heard of" Lowry before. The host, Alisyn Camerota, questioned if Trump couldn't take some criticism.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I don't mind being criticized. I don't mind at all," Trump said. "If I do something wrong, Alisyn, I have very thick skin."
Trump also took his feud with the National Review editor to MSNBC's Morning Joe. Host Joe Scarborough said, "You're at odds with Fox News. We know how powerful they are in the Republican Party. And you're at war with Rich Lowry, who is the editor of National Review, which is really sort of the gold standard of conservative magazines."
Trump replied, "I don't think anybody reads it, Joe. I think it has no power whatsoever. I'll be honest. I think it has no power whatsoever. And he's not a respected guy."
Scarborough, a former Republican congressman, told the GOP presidential frontrunner that he reads National Review. Trump's reply: "You're the only one." Jeva Lange
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
