Shields: Donald Trump ‘Made a Serious Mistake’ Going After Megyn Kelly
WOODRUFF: “How do you size it up, Mark?”
SHIELDS: I don’t know where to agree and where -- no. -- (Laughter) -- I agree. Donald Trump fills up the hall. There were 24 million people who watched. That’s more people than had ever watched a cable event, other than a sports event.
WOODRUFF: “Huge numbers.”
SHIELDS: “And this was a sports event. Donald Trump indicated right at the outset he is going to run as Donald Trump. And I thought it was an indication of the magic he has established, the chemistry he has with Republican voters, that the only person on the stage, candidate who would even take a shot at him was Rand Paul. All the others ducked him, John Kasich included, Jeb Bush included, when given opportunities. Who went after him? The three FOX moderators, who were tough. They really did. And I really think he made a serious mistake by going, retaliating, attacking Megyn Kelly. First of all –“
WOODRUFF: “When she asked him about his comments about women.”
SHIELDS: “Asked him about women, his misogynist comments. First of all, FOX News is the validator, it’s the gatekeeper for Republican, particularly conservative voters. And you don’t go after -- it is not like you’re attacking Chuck Todd or Judy Woodruff or some of the liberal elite establishment. You’re attacking the mother church when you go after FOX.”
WOODRUFF: “Well, let’s make a distinction here, please. I’m not part of the liberal media.”
SHIELDS: “No, but I’m talking about by the definition of conservative America, where FOX really is the gatekeeper -- I think you would agree, the gatekeeper and the validator. And when he went after her, I think he made a serious mistake. I thought, as far as the others were concerned –“
WOODRUFF: “You don’t think he helped himself?”
SHIELDS: “I think he hurt himself. I really do. He’s a combination quite unlike anything I have ever seen before. I agree partially with David that it is sort of egotism and cynicism. Everybody is transactional. You believe nothing. Why do you give money to Democrats? You give money to Democrats because you are going to give them a call and they’re going to do what you want. Everything. There’s no ideal. John Kennedy said he was an idealist without illusions. Donald Trump is a cynic without illusions. Nothing is on the level. You go into bankruptcy four times. You screw the investors. Hey, that’s the way it’s done now. I just -- I thought he came across really, by having taken on FOX News, and particularly Chris Wallace and Bret Baier, and particularly Megyn Kelly, I think he made a mistake.”
