Hugh Hewitt is unfazed by Donald Trump’s recent gaffe on his radio program and the billionaire’s subsequent criticism of his “gotcha” questions.
The leading Republican presidential candidate faltered last week when Hewitt, a syndicated conservative radio host, asked him about U.S. foreign policy and the Middle East. Trump was unable to differentiate between leading terror groups Hezbollah and Hamas and responded to a question about Iran’s Quds Force by mistakenly referencing the Kurds.
Trump later accused Hewitt of unfairly conducting a history test and called the host a “third-rate radio announcer” during an appearance on CNN. But when given an opportunity to respond Tuesday, Hewitt took to complimenting the real estate mogul instead.
“I love Trump,” Hewitt told CNN’s Chris Cuomo. “He’s the best interview in America.”
The conservative commentator appeared unruffled by Trump’s comments and said his job is to “ask the tough questions that Republican primary voters who are interested in the field want to hear asked and answered.”
“I’m happy to be called by any of the candidates whatever they think,” he added. “And I think Donald Trump is entitled to his criticism of me.”
Hewitt said he asked Trump specifically about Gen. Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds, because of his concerns about “the impact of giving $150 billion to the Quds Force which is led by [Soleimani] who is the number one terrorist mastermind in the world,” not because he wanted to catch the candidate off guard.
“The unfortunate part is when you do phone interviews, sometimes people hear things differently. I think [Trump] genuinely did hear Quds as Kurds, so that was fine,” Hewitt said.
“I don’t worry about it if there’s a momentary misunderstanding,” he added. “I’m sure Donald Trump will be back, he’s been on so often … and I’m glad Trump and [Ted] Cruz are doing an anti-Iran deal [event] tomorrow.”
Hewitt added that he thought Trump’s promise during their interview to know more about U.S. foreign policy and other issues as 2016 draws nearer is “fine with many people,” and said each candidate has areas where they may lack expertise.
“Donald Trump is very good on the wall, Carly Fiorina is very good on intelligence. They all have strengths and weaknesses,” Hewitt told CNN.
Both Trump and Fiorina, who offered detailed answers to the questions Trump stumbled over in a separate interview with Hewitt, will participate in the second Republican primary debate on Sept. 16. Hewitt is expected to help moderate the debate alongside CNN anchor Jake Tapper.
“Our job, or at least my job at the debate, is to ask questions that allow Republican primary voters to decide who’s best positioned to win in 2016 and to be a very successful Reagan-like commander in chief in 2017,” the radio personality said Tuesday.
