Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump said he knew after the first GOP primary debate, where Fox News host Megyn Kelly asked him an “unfair” question, that he could actually win and potentially become President of the United States.
“I think the debates were really a big thing … that first debate was pretty amazing,” Trump told Kelly during their first formal interview since the GOP primary debate last August. Kelly asked Trump about when exactly he knew he could win and be president.
“I think that first debate meant something,” Trump responded.
“I thought it was unfair,” he said about Kelly’s question at that debate where she asked about names he’s called women on Twitter, such as “fat pig.”
“I thought it was more of a statement,” Trump said of Kelly’s debate question. “I got two hours of this. I don’t really blame you…from my stand point, I don’t have to like it,” Trump recalled thinking at the time.
Trump said he believes it’s important for journalists to be “fair.”
“I don’t care if they’re nice,” he added of journalists. “In a certain way, what you did might have been a favor because it felt so good having gotten through” that first debate.
“I’m a real person. I don’t say, ‘Oh gee, I’m angry tonight but tomorrow you’re my best friend,’” Trump said when Kelly asked him if his anger towards her was a strategy.
Trump told Kelly he had respect for her for reaching out and contacting him to get together to speak after the conflict.