Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Fox News host Megyn Kelly engaged in a heated debate on Tuesday evening after the journalist asked if Donald Trump was a “sexual predator.” Gingrich, a Trump surrogate, shot back at Kelly, daring her on national television to call former President Bill Clinton that same term.
“If Trump is a sexual predator,” Kelly asked Gingrich, referring to the 11 women who have come forward with claims he sexually harassed or assaulted them.
“He’s not a sexual predator,” Gingrich shot back. “You cannot defend that statement. I’m sick and tired of people like you using language that’s inflammatory that’s not true.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Speaker,” Kelly said. “You have no idea whether it’s true or not.”
Gingrich said neither did she. Kelly said she was not taking a position on the topic, but asking a question using that term. But Gingrich was not satisifed with labeling Trump a hypothetical sexual predator.
“When you used the word you took a position and it’s unfair of you to do that. I think that is exactly the bias people are upset about,” Gingrich said.
“I think your defensiveness on this may speak volumes sir,” Kelly responded. “What I said is if Trump is a sexual predator, then it’s a big story … He denies it all, which is his right. We don’t know what the truth is. My point to you is as a media story, we don’t get to say the ten women are lying. We have to cover that story, sir.”
Gingrich, fired up, bashed Kelly and other networks for covering the allegations to a greater extent than voters’ concerns about Hillary Clinton, “You are fascinated with sex and you don’t care about public policy.”
“I’m not fascinating by sex but I am fascinated by the protection of women and understanding what we’re getting in the Oval Office and I think the American voters would like to know,” Kelly said.
“That’s why we’re sending Bill Clinton back to the East Wing because after all, you’re worried about the sexual predators,” Gingrich responded. “You want to comment on whether — you want to comment on whether the Clinton ticket has a relationship to a sexual predator?”
Kelly said the show has covered those allegations as well, but Gingrich pushed back.
“I want to hear your words, Bill Clinton sexual predator. I dare ya. Say Bill Clinton sexual predator,” Gingrich dared Kelly.
“Mr. Speaker, excuse me sir. Excuse me,” Kelly interjected. “We’re going to have to leave it at that and you can take your anger issues and spend some time working on them, Mr. Speaker.”
