Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump felt the heat during Thursday’s debate, when he was attacked by Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, and took out his frustration by snapping at the debate moderator.
CNN’s Wolf Blitzer had just asked Trump about new accusations that he’s hiding something in his tax forms. Trump said he is currently being audited and that he could not release any information until the audit was complete.
Co-moderator Hugh Hewitt, who is also a Washington Examiner columnist, followed up to ask Trump if he’s backpedaling on a previous promise to release his tax information.
“Mr. Trump,” Hewitt began.
“Are you going to ask anybody else a question?” interjected Trump, who is usually content to be the center of attention. “I mean, what am I? Every single question comes to me. I know I’m here for the ratings but it’s a little bit ridiculous.”
Hewitt continued, “Mr. Trump, a year ago you told me on my radio show, the audio and the transcript are out on YouTube, that you would release your tax return. Are you going back on your commitment?”
Trump took another shot.
“First of all, very few people listen to your radio show,” he said to Hewitt. “That’s the good news, let me just tell you. Which happens to be true, check out the ratings.”
Some in the audience gasped, groaned or booed.
“I want to release my tax returns but I can’t do it while I’m under an audit,” Trump said. He added, “As soon as the audit is done, I love it.”
