Unimpressed with CNN’s line of questioning during the first Democratic debate, Donald Trump said Wednesday it is “very possible” the Democratic Party advised the network to go easy on the left-leaning candidates.
The outspoken billionaire criticized the four candidates who appeared on stage alongside Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton for refusing to attack the former secretary of state on her email scandal or newly-adopted positions on certain issues, and said the moderators entirely failed to push the White House hopefuls on veterans issues.
“[Sanders] gave up one of the biggest points — her emails. And it almost looked like maybe he doesn’t want to win because that was a very powerful thing to give up so easily,” Trump said, referring to a standout moment in Tuesday’s debate when Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said “enough” about Clinton’s emails.
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“There were a lot of things to go after, but nobody went after her last night,” Trump said, adding, “I think the Democrats are protecting her.”
“I will say, CNN did not hit them like they did us,” he told O’Reilly later on in the segment.
The Fox News anchor asked Trump if he thought the Democratic National Committee had requested that CNN give the candidates an easier time than they gave the Republicans.
“I think that’s very possible,” he responded.
“They were saying, ‘Mr. Trump, so and so said this,’ and you know, I was talking about people to my right and to my left,” he added, referring to the treatment he received during the second Republican debate in Simi Valley, Calif. hosted by CNN.
“They were pitting people against each other and they didn’t do that this time,” he added.
“Your accusation that the Democratic Party dictated terms, that’s a pretty strong accusation,” said O’Reilly.
“Well, it was a much different debate charge,” Trump said. “In [the Democrat’s] case, they were asking questions, they were giving answers. In our case, it was a reality show.”
The GOP’s leading man, who live-tweeted the two-hour debate Tuesday night, omitted the same allegations from a speech to supporters in Richmond, Va. earlier Wednesday evening.
Trump continues to hold down the top spot in this week’s Washington Examiner’s presidential power rankings.
