Fox News chief slams Trump over Kelly comments: He should apologize

Fox News CEO Roger Ailes is hitting back against Donald Trump’s latest round of disparaging remarks toward star Fox anchor Megyn Kelly, calling on the Republican presidential candidate to apologize.

Trump reignited his ongoing fight with Kelly on Monday night in a series of tweets that targeted the “Kelly File” host, who had returned to the show following a 10-day hiatus.

“The bimbo back [sic] in town,” said one tweet, which Trump reposted into his own timeline without comment. “I hope not for long.”

{mosads}“Donald Trump rarely apologizes, although in this case, he should,” said Ailes in his statement. “We have never been deterred by politicians or anyone else attacking us for doing our job, much less allowed ourselves to be bullied by anyone and we’re certainly not going to start now.”

Ailes called Trump’s late-night attack on Kelly “surpris[ing],” “unprovoked,” and as “unacceptable as it is disturbing.”

“Megyn Kelly represents the very best of American journalism and all of us at FOX News Channel reject the crude and irresponsible attempts to suggest otherwise,” Ailes continued. “I could not be more proud of Megyn for her professionalism and class in the face of all of Mr. Trump’s verbal assaults.”

The statement from the news channel’s head honcho follows several unusually harsh remarks from Fox News personalities aimed at Trump.

“i like @realDonaldTrump but his personal & professional attacks on @megynkelly r unwarranted-unacceptable- has 2 stop,” tweeted “Fox & Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade.

“Wish pal @realDonaldTrump would cool feud with @megynkelly,” added Geraldo Rivera. “Point is made boss. Now world needs you to use bully pulpit to address big issues.”

Kirsten Powers, a Fox News contributor, put the channel’s reply to Trump most succinctly in her own response.

“Please shut up,” Powers tweeted. 

Read Ailes full statement below:

Donald Trump’s surprise and unprovoked attack on Megyn Kelly during her show last night is as unacceptable as it is disturbing. Megyn Kelly represents the very best of American journalism and all of us at FOX News Channel reject the crude and irresponsible attempts to suggest otherwise. I could not be more proud of Megyn for her professionalism and class in the face of all of Mr. Trump’s verbal assaults. Her questioning of Mr. Trump at the debate was tough but fair, and I fully support her as she continues to ask the probing and challenging questions that all presidential candidates may find difficult to answer. Donald Trump rarely apologizes, although in this case, he should. We have never been deterred by politicians or anyone else attacking us for doing our job, much less allowed ourselves to be bullied by anyone and we’re certainly not going to start now. All of our journalists will continue to report in the fair and balanced way that has made FOX News Channel the number one news network in the industry.